Denham Garden Village, Buckinghamshire

Client: Anchor Trust

Role: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design

Value: £62 million

In April 2001 Anchor trust took transfer of Denham Garden Village from Licensed Victuallers National Homes. Anchor Trust has facilitated a major redevelopment of the original retirement village, once a model of innovation in its own time, to provide 327 new dwellings with care for older people.

The project encompasses a range of accommodation to cover the spectrum of care requirements from relatively independent residents to those in need of 24 hour care. There is a mix of bungalows, cottages and flats provided. The philosophy for Denham Retirement Village is to bring care to people’s homes rather than moving them into care.

This £60m scheme is being funded without Social Housing Grant and will provide a mixed tenure with 55% of the units for outright sale and 45% affordable housing.

Denham Garden Village includes a range of public facilities located at the heart of the village, includeing a G.P. surgery, health and fitness centre, shop, restaurant, pub and village hall. The scheme includes a winter garden and internal atria spaces bringing this extra care sheltered scheme in line with European precedent.

Other innovations at Denham Village include the ‘Home Zone’ approach to designing pedestrian and vehicular circulation within the site and energy efficient building forms.

Winner of the What House? Awards 2006 ‘Best Retirement Development’ and The Daily Telegraph’s Your New Homes Awards 2007: Best Retirement 55 Plus Development.