Homelands
Following the revelation of "institutional abuse" at a care home for people with learning disabilities in Sutton, London, the remaining residents are to be re-housed in newly built apartments to give them a degree of independence within a supported care environment.
Both the building and the landscape had to be carefully designed to cater for those with physical and metal disabilities who had spent all of their lives in institutions. The emphasis was on creating calm and beautiful surroundings close to nature.
The challenge was the steep slope to the west down through existing woodland. In response a timber deck flush with the common room floats out through the existing mature tree as the ground falls away, thus allowing those with severe physical disabilities to be in the woodland canopy.
I was the project lead from inception through to submitting planning application, after which the project was put on hold by the client.
Whilst at Farrer Huxley Associates - 2006 - Sutton, London - Client: Progress Care Housing Association