Project Info
Number of Units:
17 self-contained apartments
Tenant Profile:
Mental Health
Start Date:
June 2015
Completion Date:
July 2016
Number of Units:
17 self-contained apartments
Tenant Profile:
Mental Health
Start Date:
June 2015
Completion Date:
July 2016
For people struggling with mental health problems safe and secure housing is essential. Without it people are more likely to end up in hospital or homeless.
We were asked by a national care provider to design and develop a block of 17 apartments in Warrington for adults suffering with mental health problems who were finding it difficult to find appropriate accommodation or manage their own home or who needed further support to help them live as independently as possible.
We designed the building to have self-contained apartments, some communal space and an office facility for care and support staff so that they can support people in their own homes. Each apartment was light, bright and spacious and had a call system that linked to the care office should people require support. To ensure the building was safe and secure for people living in the apartments special door entry systems were installed. Additional security features that restricted access to parts of the building so that only the people living in those apartments or staff could gain access were added.
As people who suffer from mental health can lock themselves away and withdraw from the outside world the apartments were developed in a community location so that people can get involved in things they like to do. The building was also developed to support people to move away from things that can lead to mental health difficulties by having the on-site support facility encouraging people to make healthy lifestyle choices. For people who have spent long periods on mental health wards communal lounge areas and kitchen areas are designed to provide a place where people can learn with support how to live independently – how to cook, clean and sustain a tenancy.
The aim is that the specialist accommodation will provide a safe and secure place to live for people leaving hospital or care and reduce the number of people losing their homes, becoming homeless or being admitted to hospital.
• Decoration throughout
• High quality fitted kitchens with non-slip flooring
• Modern kitchen appliances
• High quality bathroom fitments with non slip flooring
• Bathrooms able to be adapted into wet rooms
• Assistive Technology to promote independence
• Step free access on ground floor properties
• Electrical switches and sockets at accessible locations and heights
• Handrails on stairs
• Handles on all doors designed for maximum ease
• Eco rated condensing boilers
• Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
• High quality external common areas
• Turfed and paved garden areas
• Perimeter fencing
• Improved surveillance by designing windows that overlook common areas
• Improved door and window specifications
• Avoidance of dark recessed areas
• Door viewers