Exning Court, Suffolk

Role: Architecture

Value: £3.9 million

An extra care sheltered housing scheme which includes specialised accommodation for people with mild to moderate dementia.

The new scheme has been designed to comply with Suffolk County Council brief that requires the accommodation to be arranged in ‘pods’, with eight flats in each sharing a lounge and assisted bathing facilities. Central communal accommodation is also provided around the main entrance, including a restaurant and a variety of activity spaces. The layout of the building creates a series of garden courts using wherever possible, single banked circulation spaces maximising the amount of natural daylight and ventilation into the building.

One of the ‘pods’ is dedicated to providing accommodation for older people with mild to moderate dementia. This pod includes lounge and dining facilities with a kitchenette to provide self-contained accommodation for these residents.

The 34 unit scheme has been designed to reflect the architectural vernacular in the area with a series of buildings around a central courtyard that is consistent in character with the equine stable yards in the vicinity. The front of the building facing Cotton End Road gives the appearance of a terrace of cottages.

In addition to the amenity provided by the central courtyard further garden areas will be provided for the dementia ‘pod’ and for the communal dining area.

The project was part funded by the George Gibson Trust, the Housing Corporation and Sanctuary Hereward, part of Sanctuary Housing group. The project has been implemented in partnership with Suffolk County Council and the service provider, MHA Care Group.