Highlights
- Redevelopment and conversion of an existing office building into an aged care facility with 40 care suites and additional facilities.
- Design grounded in research and innovation into dementia care and wellbeing.
- Inspirational design solutions against a complex set of site constraints and existing building restrictions to an inner-courtyard site.
- Designing dementia-specific spaces that feel homely and do not look or feel institutional.
Project objective
The client brief was the redevelopment and conversion of an existing office building into an aged-care facility specialising in dementia care. Most of the existing building envelope and structure was to be retained in providing 40 care suites over four floors. In addition to the suites, the client proposed the site include extensive private and communal healthcare, therapy and social facilities. The design was grounded in Loveday’s approach to using enabling technologies that enhance their members’ wellbeing. In addition, Loveday champions research innovation through partnership with the University of West London, spearheading new attitudes to dementia care, medication, and individual analysis.
Client challenge
The challenge was to create an elegant residence, ensuring that the client’s innovative technologies and ageing principles were seamlessly integrated and consideration for the end-user. The site itself and the existing building envelope had its challenges: an inner courtyard location without vehicular access and sensitivities to neighbouring buildings. Complex access arrangements due to level differences and minimum available outdoor spaces had to be taken into consideration. Careful treatment was required to maximise natural light, outlook and general amenity and providing a landscape design to complement the location and support the end-user.
Life3A solution
Despite the limitations to alter the exterior of the building, the interior provides successful spaces, appropriate for their function and recognisable at a multi-sensory level. The new entrance pavilion is welcoming and opens to the lounge, dining spaces and the outdoor areas. The care suites are private spaces that will be personalised to reflect each resident’s particular culture, preferences and needs. Adaptability, accessibility and safety are paramount to creating a barrier-free environment with exposure to natural light, essential for maintaining wellbeing. Within the constraints of the existing site, we have created a safe place where residents can enjoy a dignified life in an environment that will encourage social interaction and peace of mind.
Exceptional outcome
The design delivers 40 suites, a communal lounge, interactive spaces together with treatment and support amenities. This is all purposely designed for elder people living with dementia whilst allowing residents to feel independent, safe, and secure in an inspirational environment. The design and finish will be reflective of high-end residences in London. State-of-the-art technology has been employed, with tablet interfaces and supporting wearables such as alarms, fall monitoring and location pendants. With the ability to personalise the suite entry and create a feature wall within the room, each resident can add their touches and joyful memories to the interior design to provide a home away from home.