New extra care apartments for retired residents in Leigh. The building comprises of 56 one-to-two-bedroom apartments, with two wheelchair accessible lifts, internal scooter stores, generous flexible communal space and planted garden areas.
The design is a high-quality living environment that is sympathetic to its surroundings and reflective of the character of the area, strengthening local identity.
Cues have been taken from the eclectic surrounding building stock to create a distinctively modern building that relates to the historic town centre. A common palette of materials, colours, and features has been incorporated into the façade to create a coherent integrated appearance and strong sense of identity to the development.
The internal has been designed to allow for adaptability; doorways, halls, and rooms have been set out with consideration to wheelchair manoeuvrability.
Door handles, locks, window locks, switches and sockets have all been positioned at suitable heights for all, including wheelchair users. There are also plywood backings applied to walls, such as in the bathrooms, where handles could be added in the future to aid continued independence.
The space within the apartments are open plan, with easily demountable panels that can create a space between the main bedrooms and bathrooms for a track and hoist to be installed if required.
A flexible home for residents, that can change in line with their needs and provide further stability during retirement years.
The resident’s lounge is a large, dynamic space, capable of being sub-divided. This creates vast opportunity for social interaction, supports a variety of activities, and is a welcome entrance into the building. The communal gardens opposite the lounge provide a space for residents to enjoy a secure external space that offers interest through changes in level and planting. This creates an environment within which they can sit, relax, and take gentle exercise ambling the grounds.
"We moved into Wharfdale from a very small bedsit which was not suitable for my needs.
We have now got a purpose-built wheelchair accessible apartment, making it easier for me to do daily tasks.
I feel very settled and happy, and my mental health has improved."
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