New builds A core principle is that BOH is separated


from the areas accessible to residents. To achieve this, we: n provide a dedicated staff and service entrance at the rear, with its own staircase and lift


n ensure deliveries, refuse, and staff movements are separate from residents’ living spaces wherever possible


n organise BOH zones, such as kitchens, laundry, stores, plant, and staff rooms, as coherent units that support operations without impacting on the resident experience.


From an operator’s perspective, this enhances both resident experience and operational efficiency. Clear zoning reduces crossovers, noise, and potential confusion.


Assisted bathrooms: privacy by design Poorly planned or positioned assisted bathrooms can leave residents feeling their privacy is compromised. At Iverley View, this was addressed by


locating assisted bathrooms discreetly within bedroom clusters rather than near busy communal spaces. This simple planning decision helps protect dignity and privacy, ensuring personal care takes place away from the shared areas of the home. The bathrooms were designed to


balance practical care needs with comfort.


Top do’s and don’ts for privacy and dignity in layout


DO: n keep staff/service circulation separate from resident social spaces


n locate assisted bathrooms discreetly within bedroom clusters


n provide small, informal seating nooks beyond main lounges


n allow space in bedrooms for residents’ own furniture


DON’T: n place WC or bathroom doors directly off main lounges or dining areas


n route deliveries through resident- facing corridors


n rely on a single ‘large lounge’ as the only social space


n use overly clinical finishes in intimate spaces


Everyday spaces for quiet privacy A well-designed care home should offer a range of settings so that residents can choose between socialising, relaxing or spending time alone. At Iverley View this meant:


n Small nooks and alcoves near lounges and dining rooms where one or two residents can sit slightly apart


n Seating in busy areas outside lifts and inside the main entrance. These offer passive social contact to watch people come


We deliberately avoided a traditional ‘care home’ look, instead, taking cues from the local vernacular.


Thoughtful lighting and acoustics, coupled with calming finishes and details such as a short ‘nib’ (a short, half-height or partial interior) wall between the WC and main space allows residents to achieve physical and psychological separation from staff if preferred. The aim is to create a space which allows


both support for people with intimate care tasks without compromising their dignity and where staff can work safely and efficiently.


and go without the pressure of joining in


n Comfortable seating along corridors where residents can rest or just observe the garden.


These micro-spaces are often overlooked, but they transform the day-to-day lived experience by giving residents control over how social or private they want to be at any time


Designing for independence: empowering residents, supporting staff In a care home setting, independence is defined by what residents can still do for themselves, and design can either support or undermine that. Clear intuitive layouts are pivotal to


supporting independence. At Iverley View, the building plan is deliberately simple and repeatable, with bedroom clusters arranged logically to create easy navigation for people who live and work in the home. Clear sightlines enable residents to


understand their surroundings while consistency between floors reduces disorientation and allows staff to work more efficiently. Rather than relying heavily on signage, the layout does much of the wayfinding work itself. For residents, especially those with


cognitive impairments, this clarity transforms the building from a maze into a place they can genuinely navigate, understand and use with confidence, giving them more freedom to choose their own destinations.


22 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com September 2026


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