This, combined with the need to provide for those with mental health issues or learning disabilities, means there is a vital requirement for flexible accommodation able to cater for changing needs. Housing Specification asked Paul Abson, Deputy Group Chief Executive of the Leadbitter Group about his company’s recent solutions, spotlighting The Green, a successful project for students and one of only 15 BREEAM outstanding buildings in the world. – and not hard to see why.
Student Living:
The Green at Bradford University is student accommodation which has just been awarded the highest ever BREEAM rating with a groundbreaking score of 95.05%. It is one of only 15 BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ buildings worldwide and is the first multi-residential building in the UK to achieve this ‘gold’ standard.
The unique development was designed by GWP Architecture and was funded by Listerhills SSV Limited, a joint venture by Welbeck Land Limited and the Hayaat Group, with additional funding by the University. On behalf of the joint venture, the project has been managed by Mi7 Developments since its inception in 2005. It was constructed by GB Building Solutions in a joint venture with Balfour Beatty Engineering Services. Strategic consultancy from the BREEAM assessors was provided by GWP Project Services.
The £30.4million student accommodation building, containing 1.026 bedrooms across six and seven storey apartment and four storey townhouses, was built in just 84 weeks, finishing on schedule despite being built through the worst winter on record. The development is also groundbreaking in terms of the volume of rooms delivered in just one phase. Typically around 500 rooms would be delivered in one phase spanning around two years, however The Green delivered 1,026 rooms in a single phase in just 20 months.
The building materials and methods have been of the very highest environmental standard to enable the rating to be achieved. GB used sustainable construction methods throughout including recycled aggregates. The buildings are made of prefabricated open panel timber wall frames from a sustainable source to deliver a highly efficient building envelope which minimises the need for space heating. Bathroom ‘pods’ were sourced locally and installed using a crane as completed units to maximise productivity and reduce waste.
Key features include a biodiversity pool which reuses rainwater, while hot water will be supplied via solar thermal collectors, which will be supplemented by a combined heat and power plant. The building also includes a wide range of internal sustainable features that will teach students how to live in an environmentallysustainable way and the university will operate a financial rebate system for student residents who are most careful with their energy usage.
Supported Living:
Enabling all members of society to remain independent in their homes for as long as possible relies on good design. As a result, we are seeing innovative approaches to designing and constructing homes that support the needs of the elderly, people with physical or learning disabilities and those with mental health issues.
The idea of a ‘village’ is not new but is a growing trend in constructing supported living accommodation. Rather than being seen as a ‘last resort’ for older people, these places set out to create genuine communities, where people can thrive and enjoy life to the full.
The village has been designed to enhance residents’ lifestyles, with an expectation that they will have fun, be prepared to take on new challenges, appear younger and feel fitter. People are encouraged to see the village as somewhere they can live when they are wholly independent with the reassurance that, as time goes on, they can take advantage of the support system integrated into the development. At Leadbitter we have established relationships with many supported living providers to design and build accommodation that not only caters for residents today but is easily adaptable to cope with changing future needs.
Take, for example, Cambrian Green Court in Yate, Somerset. Developed on behalf of Housing 21, the scheme includes 60 extra care apartments and ten sheltered housing units for elderly and mentally infirm (EMI) residents, plus an EMI resource centre and offices. A range of communal facilities is also provided, including a lounge, dining room and library, together with social facilities such as a café, hairdressing salon and activity rooms.
It is a given that every apartment is easily accessible by wheelchair users and that all aspects of the design, such as the high contrasting colours enable clear distinction of walls from doorways, adhere to the Disability Discrimination Act. However, the key here was to design in from the outset an infrastructure that allows the accommodation to adapt for future care needs. For example, extra power sources for future medical equipment, strengthening of floors to allow the installation of hoists at a later date or dual access into bathrooms should 24 hour care be required. This “future-proofing” is vital to minimise the need for design changes in the first few years of occupancy.
Other aspects that can be planned in from the outset include intercom systems and changes and additions to storage requirements. The same is true at St Oswald’s Village in Gloucestershire, much more than just an extra care facility. In addition to 169 homes for rent or purchase, the development provides a variety of facilities and features to ensure residents have a “home for life” - a vibrant village has been created providing facilities such as a gym, greenhouse, IT centre and restaurant. The aim is very much for those who are isolated or with limited means to be able to enjoy a safe environment that fosters an independent and active lifestyle.
In some instances, such as the needs of people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or with dementia, it is even necessary to ask for Building Regulations to be relaxed as well as changing the purpose and configuration of rooms.
For Leadbitter, every project is focused on the goal of assisting clients in creating affordable, comfortable and sustainable homes in which residents can enjoy their independence for as long as possible.
