New builds People with dementia benefit from clear


environmental cues that give prompts as to where they are in the building and what the spaces are for. At Iverley View, these cues are integrated into the design through themed corridors, for example referencing local rivers in Stourbridge. These themes act as memorable landmarks and support wayfinding throughout the building. Rooms are also clearly designed for their


intended purpose, so dining rooms are arranged ready for meals, activity rooms are visibly equipped for crafts, games or therapies, and lounges are furnished to create the familiarity of a recognised living space rather than multi-functional spaces with ambiguous furniture. This distinction is particularly important for people living with cognitive impairment as multi-use rooms can be confusing and more difficult to navigate. Safe and engaging walking routes


throughout the home are important. Many residents, particularly those with dementia, like to move around and we therefore try to incorporate safe and enjoyable walking routes both indoors and outdoors with purposeful activities. We design these routes carefully so that


residents do not encounter repeated dead- ends, and can enjoy plenty of places to pause, such as seats, window bays and small activity points. Outdoor environments are planned in the same way to be accessible and interesting. Level paths, good lighting and points of interest such as plants, bird feeders, planters and potting sheds make walking a purposeful and enjoyable activity. These routes encourage exercise, reduce agitation and help minimise behaviours that stem from boredom or frustration. The visual environment also requires


careful consideration, particularly in relation to contrast, colour and light. As dementia often coincides with changes in vision, including loss of parts of the colour spectrum and reduced peripheral vision, the effective use of light reflectance values (LRVs) and contrast become crucial. Good contrast helps residents distinguish key features, such as the difference between furniture and flooring or between walls and doors. Conversely, sudden changes in tone can


create confusion if they are misinterpreted, such as between corridor flooring and lift thresholds, which may be perceived as steps, gaps, holes or changes in levels. We favour non-reflective surfaces to avoid glare and confusing reflections, and limit over-reliance on pale greens, blues and lilacs, which may merge into grey for some residents. Richer,


warmer colours and natural wood tones can support both legibility and homeliness, complemented by a stronger emphasis on maximising natural daylight and balancing with it with bright yet comfortable artificial lighting where required.


Balancing freedom, safety and operational realities The central challenge in later-living development is achieving a careful balance between competing priorities: supporting residents to live with independence and dignity, providing reassurance to families, enabling staff to work safely and efficiently, and maintaining long-term financial and operational sustainability. While these objectives are often treated in isolation, the success of a scheme depends on how effectively they are integrated from the outset. Experience from Iverley View and


similar developments demonstrates that the most successful schemes embed these principles into their core design. Dignity and independence for the people that will make their home there must be inherent in the building’s layout, circulation, and access, and not treated on as optional extras. Equally, the design needs to be grounded in the operational reality of care delivery, reflecting how staff move through the building, where they spend time, and how teams operate day to day. Compliance and regulation are essential,


but they should be viewed as a baseline rather than the defining brief. The real measure of success lies in the lived experience of residents and staff. Buildings that are designed with a strong domestic character, generous natural light, intuitive wayfinding, and accessible outdoor and social spaces, create environments that naturally support better care, enhance staff


24 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com September 2026


performance, and improve occupancy and reputation. Ultimately, successful later-living design


is not about creating striking architecture for its own sake. It is about delivering environments that quietly and consistently support people through some of their most vulnerable years while providing operators and investors with buildings that are robust, efficient and future-proofed. n


Clare Cameron


Clare is an architect and director at Harris Irwin, one of the UK’s leading architectural practices specialising in care. Clare is an expert in design for older people, dementia and those with physical, cognitive or learning disabilities. In her 27 years of working in this sector, Clare has led the design team for a series of award-winning projects, authored several design guides and undertaken multiple portfolio reviews of specialist housing and care stock for clients. Clare has a real passion to share her knowledge and to bring innovation and delight to ‘age-friendly’ architecture.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52