The UK’s ageing population brings with it the challenge of providing accommodation that helps to ease the impact of the impairments to mobility and sensory and mental faculties that come with old age.
For example, around 820,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with dementia alone, so contractors need to design and build homes that cater for a diverse range of individual needs. This requires the creation of homes that aid mental wellbeing, security and comfort while remaining affordable. An example of this is Alexandra Place in Wokingham. A joint venture between Catalyst Housing Group and Wokingham Borough Council, this new development provides housing for the over-55s, with 10 ground-floor flats designed especially for people with dementia.
Individual design
Built on the same footprint as a traditional care home that became outdated and was demolished in 2009, Alexandra Place provides 46 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments that reflect the best of what supported housing has to offer. While there is no standard blueprint for designing such housing, every step of the design process took into account the residents’ needs, ensuring these homes will enable independent living for as long as possible.
Every aspect of the design and construction makes clear that the focus is on allowing the residents to have easy access to a plethora of first-class amenities that make independent living easier and more enjoyable
For example, each apartment has space for parking a mobility scooter should residents become unable to walk from the central storage area to their properties. All apartments also have access to outside space, which is accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter.
By incorporating a cantilevered balcony design for the first and second-floor apartments, residents have added outdoor space. Installed using steel beams built through the structure of each apartment and into the adjacent corridor walls, the balconies have no visible supports, creating clean lines which add to the attractiveness of the homes. The finish of reconstituted, maintenance-free decking and a half cedar-clad, half-glazed façade provides increased privacy, while maintaining light into the apartment.
The UKs ageing population brings with it the challenge of providing accommodation that helps to ease the impact of the impairments to mobility and sensory and mental faculties that come with old age
Having two-bedroom apartments in the development supports independent living by enabling residents to remain in their homes even if the time comes when they need 24-hour care and support. Today the second bedroom may provide a place for family and friends to stay, but in the future it could provide a place for a carer to sleep.
During the design phase it is important not to concentrate on just one particular set of needs, such as mobility issues, but on as many different requirements as possible. This is why Alexandra Place doesn’t merely focus on the physical impairments that come with old age, but also includes 10 ground-floor apartments specially designed for those with dementia. Individual coloured doors with matching coloured key fobs, detailed signage on each door and communal gardens designed for circular movements are just some of the specially-incorporated features.
Sustainability as standard
During the design phase it is important not to concentrate on just one particular set of needs, such as mobility issues, but on as many different requirements as possible
Leadbitter is committed to the use of sustainable methods and technologies, and Alexandra Place is no exception, with the use of rainwater harvesting tanks and timber from sustainable sources. However, the safety and security of the residents was also central to the design of this project, which is why the flat dormer roofs were covered using a single-ply membrane in order to prevent the theft of lead and zinc, further ensuring resident safety. Alexandra Place has subsequently been awarded Secured by Design status, an initiative that promotes crime prevention at the design, layout and construction stages of homes and commercial premises.
Five-Star Treatment
The complex includes an exercise room and spa, hairdressing salon, an IT café and a shop and restaurant with fully-equipped commercial kitchen, both run by Age Concern Slough & Berkshire East. Many of these facilities are designed for use by those with restricted mobility, such as a bath for assisted batheing, a therapy suite and a store for mobility scooters in the reception area.
It is important that developers, builders and architects continue to bring innovative and original housing developments to the forefront of elderly housing schemes
Every aspect of the design and construction makes clear that the focus is on allowing the residents to have easy access to a plethora of first-class amenities that make independent living easier and more enjoyable. Activity areas are found throughout, where residents can bring guests or socialise with neighbours. All of these features mean there is a community focus throughout.
With the advice and guidance that is given from the care and health services, contractors are now able to bring original concepts for providing homes for elderly people to life; concepts that make living easier, more comfortable and more secure for residents. It is important that developers, builders and architects continue to bring innovative and original housing developments to the forefront of elderly housing schemes.