The Vineyard, Abingdon, 1993

Old Station House is home to 45 frail elderly residents in a building overlooking a civic square close to Abingdon's town centre and shops. The building occupies the site of the former railway station and creates a new square, formally the station forecourt.

Each resident has a flat with its own front door, living/bedroom, kitchen and bathroom carefully planned to be convenient for those with limited mobility or who rely on Zimmer frames or wheelchairs. The living room has a bay window to afford wide-angle views, and a balcony. Six to ten flats are grouped together to form a 'cluster' sharing a common living/dining room which has views out but also overlooks a central atrium. This provides a circular route for 'wanderers' at upper levels and at ground level a space for communal activities including the opportunity to run a coffee shop or events which can involve the local community.

The scheme, which in addition to providing residential accommodation for frail elderly people contains a day centre and respite facilities, is the result of a successful partnership between Servite Houses and Oxfordshire County Council. PRP, whilst providing an enviable environment for residents, also successfully met the civic and townscape needs of this 'island' site.