Project Details
- Client Name: Circle Anglia as Development Agent on behalf of Merton Priory Homes
- Project Value: £2.75m
- Sector: Care
- Services: Client’s representative , CDMC, Cost consultancy, Quality control inspector, BREEAM assessor
- Key partners: Circle Group, Merton Priory Homes, PRP Architects, The Homes and Communities Agency, London Borough of Merton and Higgins Construction Ltd
- Contact: Neil Hope – 020 8294 1000
The project involved the demolition and replacement of an existing care home with a new development of 18 homes for older people, designed along the lines of the recommendations within the HAPPI report.
The design features louvres and brise soleil wrapping around the façade, providing solar shading to the apartments.
Offering improved accommodation
Gresham House, located in New Malden, Surrey, is one of three sheltered housing schemes managed by Merton Priory Homes which were deemed no longer fit for purpose and in desperate need of modernisation.
Existing residents were consulted prior to the planning submission, and although they were rehoused while works took place, they were given the option to return to the completed accommodation.
The new housing continues to meet the needs of residents aged 55+ wanting to live independently but within a secure environment. Redevelopment of the site has created 18 new extra care homes, benefitting from non-resident management staff, a visiting warden and 24-hour community alarm cover.
Built to meet future requirements
All homes within Gresham House are built to meet the future requirements of residents, utilising the HAPPI aspirations, and benefit from low heating costs on this energy efficient development.
Two units within the development are one-bedroom self-contained wheelchair adapted units, with ground floor level access and a fully adapted kitchen and wet room.
All residents enjoy the benefit of a communal lounge with kitchen and assisted spa facilities, with a cyber terminal giving internet access. Residents also have their own private outdoor space with individual balconies, together with shared communal landscaped garden areas.
Ensuring residents’ privacy
One of the challenges faced on this tight infill site was to ensure the scheme did not compromise the privacy of adjoining residents.
Screen walls and louvres have been incorporated to ensure that oblique views into adjoining gardens from some balconies and first floor apartments are not possible.
