Dymond House, Dementia Development
- Client
- Housing 21
- Location
- Sutton, Surrey
- Project Leaders
- Matt Lamont Jim Hayles Andy Tansill
- Size
- 49 Units
- Value
- 8M
Challenge
Quattro Design Architects was appointed to design a much needed specialised dementia resource for Housing 21, the London Borough of Sutton and the wider community.
The proposed development facilitated 49 dementia friendly apartments, including 10 re-ablement apartments and 9 adult learning disability apartments. Two apartments were for use by residents who are bariatric wheelchair users, to provide greater independence to those with challenges other than those associated with age.
Within the dementia Extra Care housing there is a need to balance the need for privacy and independence of residents whilst still ensuring proximity to communal facilities and encouraging contact with other people.
The proposed building was on a tight suburban site close to a neighbourhood centre; our challenge was to promote a strong focus on independence and enablement at a time when the problem of memory loss, was, and still is, a very topical subject.
- Services
- Partners
-
Housing 21
Gallery
Solution
To facilitate independence and enablement, the flats are clustered around a ‘Homezone’ communal living space leading out onto a large decked terrace for the residents’ amenity. The ‘Homezone’ is in essence a two bedroomed apartment with the basic kitchen retained and an accessible WC instead of a full bathroom, with the remainder of the apartment left as open area for day to day activities, such as sitting and TV, hobby table space and quiet corner.
The layout seeks to maximise the benefits of the southerly aspect by locating the garden area in this area with the parking to the north. The main secure gardens are enclosed on three sides by the building and to the south by a screen of vegetation. The arrangement of double banked flats to the east and west wings with a single bank to the connecting north element allows all the flats to benefit from an east, west or southerly aspect.
The 9 ALD apartment block has its main entrance and its own small communal space with kitchenette and with access to all external communal areas. Residents are intended to be fully independent within this fully accessible environment, with some residents being employed outside of the development.
Dymond House benefits from an on-site manager and care contracts to suit individual requirements. A staff room and manager’s office together with stores and laundry are provided to facilitate this and guest suite is provided to enable visitors to stay overnight.