Following a life-changing car accident at the age of 19, Gaurav Shoor set out to create a home designed entirely around his independence. Every aspect of the property was carefully considered to improve accessibility, from open-plan living spaces and adapted kitchen worktops to a home gym and roll-in shower. Completing the vision was an Aritco HomeLift Access from Gartec, enabling wheelchair access to every floor despite challenging headroom restrictions that other lift providers believed made installation impossible.

After several years adapting to life as a wheelchair user, Gaurav purchased a new home with the aim of incorporating everything he had learnt about accessible living. Rather than adapting an existing property around limitations, he was able to design a space that worked around his needs from the outset.

The finished home includes wider, open-plan spaces for easy movement, lower-height kitchen worktops, an accessible shower room and a dedicated home gym. The addition of a home lift means every part of the property is now fully accessible, allowing Gaurav to use his home without compromise.

Requirement

"It makes my life easier having everything adapted in the way I need it," explains Gaurav. "After my injury I needed time to learn exactly what that was, and I had four years living in my previous home that wasn't as well adapted to do that."

Finding a lift suitable for the property proved to be the biggest challenge. The restricted headroom on the first floor meant several lift companies advised that installation would not be possible in Gaurav's preferred location.

"I was struggling to put the lift exactly where I wanted it," says Gaurav. "I'd been in touch with a lot of companies, but when I spoke with Gartec, I was told it could go in an old cupboard space that wasn't going to be used because of the restricted headroom. I got to have it in the exact position I wanted."

Gaurav wanted reliable wheelchair access to the first floor, where his bedroom, workspace and shower room are located. Having previously lived in a home where he could not access the upper floor, removing these barriers was a key part of the design.

Why Aritco?
The Aritco HomeLift Access provided the ideal solution. Its self-contained design, range of platform sizes and ability to accommodate restricted headroom allowed Gartec to specify a bespoke installation, including a half-height gate on the upper landing.

"The Gartec lift was the only fit for my home," says Gaurav. "It looks a lot nicer than other lifts, and I think I signed the paperwork the same day Gartec came out to visit me. It has made doing my day-to-day tasks easier and works around the height restrictions in my home that other companies couldn't offer."

Installation
The lift was installed within a previously unused cupboard space, overcoming the property's restricted headroom while maintaining Gaurav's preferred layout. The bespoke design enables smooth access between floors and completes a fully accessible home tailored to his lifestyle and long-term independence.

"What's great about this home is that Gaurav had a blank canvas to add features which would allow him to enjoy his whole living space," says Matt Akerman, Home Sales Director, Gartec. "His determination to find the right solution, rather than accepting something that didn't work for him, has enabled him to create a home where he can truly thrive."

Specification
Lift: Aritco HomeLift Access
Bespoke features: Half-height gate on the upper landing
Technical details: 1100 x 1480mm platform lift with automatic doors, finished in White (RAL 9016)
Reason for purchase: Wheelchair access to the first floor and complete accessibility throughout the home