Beeches Manor, Berkshire – Dementia Care/Extra Care Home

We developed the design to reflect the model of care working alongside the client’s dementia experts and Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC) Adult Care Team. WBC intentions for the development were to nominate 18 people with a diagnosis of dementia, and to further utilise the care team to support 8 households of people with learning disabilities in independent flats at the first-floor level  

A site was identified, which was overgrown woodland formerly a derelict manor house, sharing access with a bowls club. The sensitive design makes use of the lower levels to create 2 clusters of 9 one bed flats, set around a courtyard garden and sharing a ‘homezone’, comprising farmhouse kitchen, lounge, snug and assisted bathroom. On the upper floor are 2 sets of 4 one bed flats, a guest room and staff facilities. All the residents share a launderette, activity room and access to a wildlife focused garden.

The contractor was Willmott Dixon, who developed a traditionally constructed scheme, with the design creating delightful, small, cosy areas internally and externally, providing a ‘safe’ environment for the residents. The resulting building is an architectural delight with crisp lines and a majority of white render interspersed with red brick and natural boarding. The large expanses of window allow the light in and also allows the residents a comfortable view out, whether sitting, standing or in bed.

This exemplary setting for people with dementia to age in dignity is being copied across the U.K. Quattro is also encouraging its care home clients to ‘future proof’ their new buildings by pairing rooms suitable for conversion to flats.