Tamar Court - Landscape Architecture - Assisted Living Architecture

An existing stately oak within the proposed courtyard garden was recognised for its wildlife contribution and a decision was made to retain it.

Residents interviewed in 2019 say they like to potter in the garden and study the flourishing vegetation and describe how they sometimes meet other residents on the benches to spend a couple of hours enjoying the setting in the afternoon sun.

The Challenge

Tamar Court provides Specialist Dementia Facilities with on-site care staff and assisted living, including a Wellbeing Centre and a number of community resources such as a café lounge, activity room, hairdresser with therapy consultation area and a library. We were appointed due to our experience in assisted living architecture.

Tamar is aimed at older people who may have care and support needs but who do not want to live in a residential home.

Quattro’s later living & care architects, alongside our Landscape Team were presented with a challenge:

An existing stately oak within the proposed courtyard garden was recognised for its wildlife contribution and a decision was made to retain it. But how would the shaded area under its boughs best be utilised whilst also protecting the roots from damage? The question arose.

Our Solution

The brief comprised: a central performance/meeting space, an ‘Infinity path’, a corner with a different feel, seating, raised containers with sensory planting to delight and lift the mood whilst also attracting bees and butterflies.

In the accomplishment of the garden, the ‘infinity path’ provides the connecting element, stringing together the meeting space defined by a large pergola, seating and other furniture, with an array of wildlife attracting plants providing interest across the seasons.

Where the path enters beneath the substantial canopy of the spreading oak, it becomes a timber boardwalk, slightly raised to protect the tree roots. Here, the lawn turns to decorative slate and there is a sense of discovery when a Japanese lantern sitting amongst ferns is encountered beside a bamboo pipe trickling with water. A nearby bench offers soothing dappled shade.

This has become the corner with a different quality – shade – designed to pique curiousity and heighten the senses.

Residents interviewed in 2019 say they like to potter in the garden and study the flourishing vegetation and describe how they sometimes meet other residents on the benches to spend a couple of hours enjoying the setting in the afternoon sun.

To learn more about our assisted living architecture experience, click here.