Retirement Village Concept Development
Exactly a year ago, architect Alessandro Caruso left his former practice to set up his own business - Alessandro Caruso Architecture and Interiors Ltd (ACA+I) - focusing primarily on the design of health and social care facilities.
Twelve months later and his success is evidence that the medical marketplace is still flourishing, despite the recent economic climate and reduced public spending within the sector.
As a start-up business I would not have believed how successful this year would be for us
Speaking to BBH this week, Caruso, who originates from a small town in Sicily, said: “As a start-up business I would not have believed how successful this year would be for us.
“When I budgeted for this year I had allowed for winning 15 jobs as, coming out of a recession, I was concerned the healthcare market would not receive much funding.
“But I have actually had an extremely busy year. I have been able to work with a number of clients that I have worked with in the past and some new clients. In total, I have secured in excess of 30 new job numbers.”
Extra Care Housing Feasibility Study
A large percentage of these jobs are within health and social care, in particular extra care, respite, mental health and dementia care developments.
Caruso said: “I have seen a shift towards the integration of health and social care services, for example combining GP practices with social care services to fill that current gap, particularly concerning intermediate care for the elderly.
“We have also been involved in a really interesting hotel-type scheme for people who need respite care.”
We are seeing more and more that the NHS is talking to the private sector and trying to resolve the problems together, rather than separately as they have done in the past
Since launching the company, he has seen increasing dialogue between the NHS and private sector health providers.
“The market is trying to address problems with access and the lack of space in hospitals and care homes and this is seeing the balance between private and NHS services being readdressed,” he said.
“We are seeing more and more that the NHS is talking to the private sector and trying to resolve the problems together, rather than separately as they have done in the past.
“I think moving forward this will continue and together we will be able to create new and refurbished facilities that meet the current need and take the pressure off hospitals.
“It has been an exciting first 12 months and I see that continuing well into the future.”
