Architect: Kraft Architecture
Client: Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association Ltd
Builder: Springfield Properties
Project Description
Linkwood View is a purpose-built care development comprised of 30 specialised care flats within a sheltered courtyard environment. Independent living is encouraged while care provision for a mix of elderly residents at varying stages of dementia is on hand. The development is within walking distance to key bus routes, a supermarket, health centre, nursery, a local pub and overlooks playing fields, woodland and scenic rural walks.
The development features communal spaces for residents to enjoy including a sensory garden with orchard, a large communal hall with kitchen for sharing various activities, a cinema space, offices and staff sleepover.
Innovation within the Project
The objective of Linkwood View was to create a template facility that can be used across Scotland that will provide future care to a growing elderly demographic with dementia. Hanover Housing Association, Moray Council and Springfield Properties worked in partnership to achieve this and Springfield are already in discussions with East Ayrshire Council about replicating a similar facility in Kilmarnock.
The courtyard typology has enabled a safe environment that can cater for varying stages of dementia & elderly care. This secure area creates opportunities to meet neighbours on the walkway and offers access to the first floor via stairs and lifts. Pends secure external spaces with access to the wider community through shared communal spaces.
The housing mix includes:
• six flats – designed for dementia with design guidance from the Stirling Dementia Design Service
• four flats – designed for varying degree’s of physical disability in conjunction with occupational therapists and tenant requirements
• twenty care flats – capable of being adapted to suit occupants needs, whether physical or mental health related
With flexible floor plans offering open or closed plan layouts, the flats have been designed to adapt to the changing needs of the residents. They include wide corridors and sanitary facilities for wheelchair accessibility, larger stores for wheelchair storage and hoists can be retrospectively installed where required. Dementia design features have been considered too such as glazed kitchen units, contrasting switch and socket face plates and skirting’s.
The external walkways connecting all flats creates opportunities for residents to interact whilst the larger flats/additional bedroom encourages family to stay or have study rooms/home offices for continuing an active life beyond retirement.
Communal air source heat pumps with solar PV panels offer the heating for all flats and shared spaces which has achieved 2017 Gold Active Carbon Emission savings, when only 2014 Bronze was required.