Architecture


in their own spacious en suite bedroom, socialising in the large welcoming communal lounges, or taking a stroll in the beautifully landscaped gardens. The home gives residents a choice in their environment and provides a range of spaces, creating public and private settings and varying levels of supervision. The development ensures the residents feel secure and cared for whilst retaining a comfortable domestic feel. The simple layout and variety of themed


areas provide residents with extensive choice in activity and environments without barriers. Flexible spaces encourage residents to choose where to spend their days and level of interaction. Corridor ends are treated to create destinations and areas of contemplation and reflection. The river setting creates extensive visual impact for the residents from the courtyard and balconies and allows residents to help with planting whilst offering extensive wildlife, improving the wellbeing of both residents and staff.


Accessibility within the building Access to all areas of the home were designed to be fully wheelchair accessible and cater for those with all levels of mobility, including those with physical, sensory and cognitive needs. Residents are encouraged to use all parts of the facility and are not restricted to individual floors or wings, with level access throughout, passenger lifts, adequate corridor widths, and accessible upper floor terraces incorporated within the building to ensure residents have easy access to all floors and facilities. The layout creates short travel distances for residents of limited mobility to access communal facilities. The use of independent mobility throughout the scheme is encouraged, with buggy stores


including electrical charging points. Aids, hoists, and assisted baths and


toilets have been provided throughout the home that are capable of meeting the needs of the residents, staff, and visitors. The home also caters for bariatric residents, with wider corridor and door widths and considered room dimensions. The facility is complemented with ceiling tracking to enable transfer of residents between spaces. External amenity directly accessible from the bariatric room is allows residents immediate access to outdoor recreation. The home operates a managed fire


escape strategy with floors sub-divided into safe fire compartments allowing for phased evacuation in the event of fire. Each compartment is provided with two alternative means of escape. Corridor and door widths cater for evacuation of both able bodied and wheelchair users. Bariatric users can be evacuated on beds directly from their room to a safe external environment through double doors.


Interaction with the outdoors Great importance was placed on resident interaction with the outdoors. From the conceptual stages of the design, the relationship between the building form, external amenity, and the New River was considered with the building creating a beneficial relationship between the natural landscape and form. The design provides a site layout which gives extensive external recreation space for this riverside setting including gardens, seating areas, orchard area, pagodas, lawned gardens, workshops, and greenhouse with level access provided to all of these safe and secure outdoor areas. Residents are encouraged to explore the


external gardens without restriction with level pathways and seating along route for them to take stops as necessary. Not only does this give ease of use and access to residents but also to staff and visitors. The architecturally landscaped gardens provide a safe and tranquil environment with seating and planted areas with river views and offer a diverse range of wildlife, creating an outdoor habitat for residents to enjoy and interact with nature. Residents are able to assist in the maintenance and planting of outdoor areas with raised garden planters. There is a secure enclosed courtyard for higher-needs residents living with dementia, enabling them to be independent and without constant supervision. The New River is an attractive focal point and it was important the design realised it as an amenity space; using both the natural frame for the courtyard and views out over the river. The material palette and architectural language of the building - with its dynamic curve - creates a visual link to


March 2023 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 31


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