We were appointed by Stonebridge Housing Action Trust to address the rehousing of their elderly residents from a sheltered housing block due for demolition.
This was an unusual and particularly sensitive commission - the residents were worried about their future, seeing demolition all around them, and there were fears that if handled wrongly the elders could suffer in the move.
A thorough consultation process was carried out with residents aged between 65 and 95 taking part, including visits to other sheltered housing blocks . Video footage enabled the less mobile to see the good and bad points of the visits. Meetings were held individually and in groups, residents being encouraged to bring along their relatives and carers.
Newcroft offers 39 one and two bedroom flats, bathrooms and kitchens especially adapted for wheelchair users, brightly painted communal areas and ‘internal streets’ to facilitate communication between residents.
The scheme includes two gardens, one naturalistic, the other more formal, which provide interest throughout the year.
It was recognised as “Best Housing Association Development” at the Evening Standard New Homes Awards.
The award cited the project’s overall fitness for purpose, quality of finish, utilisation of space, energy efficiency and location.
As part of Phase 3. we created another dedicated elders housing block. The residents named the new block Southcroft House.
