Kidbrooke Extra Care Housing

Client: Berkeley Homes Urban Renaissance

Role: Project Architect

The Extra Care Housing forms part of the £1 billion redevelopment of the former Ferrier Estate in South East London, and encompasses 170 new dwellings.

The project sets an important precedent in placing attractive housing for older people at the heart of an urban regeneration scheme and in challenging some of the more institutional aspects of the Extra Care housing typology. The project embraces many of the principles and recommendations set out in the recently published HAPPI report which calls for innovative and attractive retirement housing for older people in good locations.

Central to our design concept is the 'Core & Cluster' arrangement creating 5 residential 'clusters' rather than the widely employed Extra Care typology of long double banked corridors and single aspect flats. An internal corridor is provided at first floor level connecting each cluster to the main communal areas. This provides sheltered and secure access for residents to the communal areas and also for care staff visiting residents. The circulation areas within each core are generously glazed ensuring high levels of daylight, natural ventilation and a dual aspect views into the courtyard and surrounding area.