Whitehaven, Cumbria

The project for Home Group to replace an existing development for elderly residents required careful and strategic planning to ensure minimal disruption to existing and vulnerable tenants.  The entirely new build development was constructed in two phases, comprising a two storey building with 20 no. two-bedroom flats followed by 11 no. two-bedroom single storey units to complete a courtyard design.  The key strategic design move proposed by the practice was the introduction of the two storey block on land to the rear of the site that had not previously been considered.  This increased the accommodation on the site by some 50%.  The strategy also allowed the client to transfer tenants from their existing premises to their new accommodation in a single move.

The project incorporates two standard designs for the flats and single storey dwellings.  These designs provide flexible space that can adapt to the changing requirements of their occupants.  Wherever possible, Modern Methods of Construction were used with off-site fabrication for the timber framed building envelopes.  This ensured a water-tight envelope early in the construction process and is a great advantage when working in one of the wettest counties in England.