Extra-care Housing

13.04.2010

We were invited recently by a well known livery company to tender our architectural services for the design of 61 new extra-care housing units in Lewisham. The extra-care units were to replace existing almshouses (a much better term for a similar typology) on the same site.

It is often said that an architect’s best work is on a building type new to him or her; bringing a freshness of approach to the programme that others may not. Having limited experience in this sector, we undertook a substantial research project in order to further our knowledge base and determine a starting point for our ideas.

In the design of healthcare buildings there are many rules, regulations and guidelines which are very prescriptive in areas such as spatial configuration, occupancies, floor areas, finishes; the list goes on… These are built on received wisdom from the care industry and the designers who support it. Our research took us on visits to existing extra care facilities that demonstrated a lack of real design flair and a terrifying meanness of spirit; particularly in the communal areas, use of day-lighting and quality of materials employed. We decided we wanted to do something different; to challenge the status quo of the industry and offer something more.

To do this we concentrated on two main areas, the communal area outside the individual’s home (and its connection to the home), and the provision of catering.

Our communal areas and circulation zone were oriented around a large landscaped courtyard with single banked accommodation designed so that residents can always know where they are in the building – something dementia patients rely on for navigation. We introduced the concept of the ‘winter garden’ which is in essence a wider than normal corridor incorporating large glazed windows, seating and planting; creating a place for residents to be, not just to pass through. The connecting flats were dual aspect allowing the residents to look out over the winter garden from their home and feel part of the community. Equally they could screen it off if they wanted their privacy.

Our visits to other extra care units demonstrated that the main attraction to these facilities is the provision of quality catering; providing at least one proper meal a day and setting up the routine for socialising amongst residents. These facilities were somewhat lacking as there wasn’t the diversity of ages and backgrounds for residents to engage with.

As a result we introduced the concept of a ‘pavilion’ or ‘clubhouse’ that contains high quality dining and lounge facilities, a library and cinema (alongside more prosaic functions such as offices for the manager, treatment rooms, electric buggy storage etc). By creating a desirable place not just for the residents but for outsiders to visit, we would encourage the neighbouring community – e.g. young mums meeting to have coffee – to use the facilities on offer; thereby weaving a tight bond with local people and through integration and stimulation improving the life of the residents.

We believe that by including strategies such as this; treating elderly people as they have always been treated, with respect and honour, we can make huge improvements on the moribund status quo and the quality of many elderly people’s lives.