INCLUSIVITY AND DESIGN


Inclusivity inside and outside of the care home


Here, Melissa Magee, director and architect at independent architectural practice Carless + Adams, outlines the principles for designing for elderly care, and explains why inclusivity is crucial from the design stage onwards


To understand why care is such a broad topic, let us revisit our school days and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Every stage of the triangle is considered when designing a care home, as without this focus, residents and care givers would not thrive. We are fortunate to live in an age and country where society has progressed and life spans are longer; however, quality can sometimes come into question – loneliness and the impact on physical health and mental wellbeing increases as time passes. Inclusivity in the context of care homes refer to creating spaces where individuals can feel involved, stimulated, respected, and valued. Architecture and design have the power to


create safe, inviting, nurturing, and engaging spaces which, when designing for care homes and integrated retirement communities, is especially crucial. The improvement of residents’ lives and care givers’ working environments through the design of inclusive spaces fosters a supportive and compassionate setting. In turn, within the community, this promotes stronger social bonds and encourages a more understanding society to the benefit of all.


Engagement with the local community often


begins at time of planning. Whether the site is for a new build or a refurbishment, there is often interaction with the neighbourhood as they will understandably be interested in any development that is about to occur on their doorstep. Considering that planning can take anything


from five years plus – and change of use of a building to C2 just as long – understanding and support from the area is of paramount importance for the long-term success of the care home. Planning consultations are welcomed as they give architects, developers, and operators the chance to engage with local residents and answer any questions they may have. This starts the inclusivity partnership and cohesion in the community. Inclusivity is crucial at design stage. The principles for designing for elderly care include:


Accessibility Let us start with space. The CQC does not set specific room sizes, but refers to the National Minimum Standards as a guide – a minimum of 12 m² for single resident bedrooms (excluding en suite) and 4.1 m² of communal space per resident. Often as architects, we design beyond this baseline to


THE CARE HOME INDUSTRY HANDBOOK 2026 15


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