Refurbishment
changes in regulation, technical guidance and client requirements. During this period, the implementation
of the Building Safety Act 2022, together with subsequent changes to fire safety guidance and the increasing emphasis on non-combustible construction, prompted a comprehensive review of a number of design decisions. Environmental requirements also required further assessment of overheating, glazing, solar control and long-term operational performance. Rather than treating these as isolated
technical exercises, each change was considered against the original design objectives. The review of the external wall
construction, for example, resulted in a revised façade strategy responding to fire safety requirements while retaining the architectural principles established within the planning scheme. The process reinforced an increasingly important aspect of architectural practice: the underlying design needs to be robust enough to accommodate technical and regulatory change.
Designing for longevity Futureproofing does not mean predicting precisely how a building will be used in decades to come. More realistically, it means providing sufficient flexibility to respond as requirements change. At Denville Hall, the assisted-living
apartments have been designed to accommodate changing mobility requirements, allowing residents to remain independent for as long as possible. Communal facilities can support a range of activities rather than fixed functions, while building infrastructure has been considered with future adaptation in mind. Longevity also applies to the external environment. Retaining mature trees and
introducing new planting, sustainable drainage and ecological enhancements support both environmental resilience and the long-term character of the estate. Future resilience therefore extends
beyond energy performance or construction methods. It is equally concerned with creating places that remain useful and valued over time.
Collaboration The complexity of contemporary care projects requires close collaboration between disciplines, particularly as technical and regulatory requirements increasingly overlap. At Denville Hall, fire strategy informed
façade design; environmental modelling influenced architectural decisions; landscape proposals contributed to biodiversity, overheating mitigation and resident wellbeing; and operational discussions shaped the relationship between the assisted-living accommodation and communal facilities. Within this process, the architect’s role
extends beyond coordination. It involves maintaining a consistent architectural framework within which specialist knowledge can be integrated without losing sight of the original design objectives.
Looking ahead The redevelopment of Denville Hall - due to break ground this month and complete in two years - forms part of a much longer process of change. The new buildings are intended to extend
the life of the estate rather than redefine it, providing additional opportunities for independent living within a framework capable of responding to future patterns of care. The project also reflects broader changes across the sector. Care environments
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com October 2026 Maro Kallimani
Maro Kallimani RIBA ARB is director of London-based RIBA Chartered Practice, Kalli-Architecture & Design. Her work focuses on residential, heritage and later-living architecture, combining design quality with technical delivery. With more than twenty years’ experience, she is leading the architectural redevelopment of Denville Hall as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team.
are increasingly expected to combine environmental performance, fire safety, accessibility and operational efficiency with places that feel domestic, welcoming and connected to nature. When considered together, these requirements can reinforce rather than compete with one another. Ultimately, the success of the
redevelopment will not be measured solely by the buildings added to the estate, but by how effectively Denville Hall continues to support the lives of its residents over the decades ahead. If the project contributes to that
continuing process, it will have achieved its purpose.n
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