Property description

Broomfield is a long established private residential care facility registered with the Care Quality Commission. It provides specialist care for the elderly, as well those with dementia. In 2018 we were appointed to act as lead designer for a programme of reconfiguration and refurbishment works that would provide a higher standard of accommodation with larger bedrooms with private ensuite wet room facilities.

Proposals

The design aimed to make the entrance clearly identifiable and better manage navigation of the building that has numerous changes of level inside. The re-configuration of the entrance would improve access for staff and visitors regardless of disability or impairment and fire evacuation and emergency services.

The main principles in redesigning the internal layout of the building were as follows:

• Controlled access to prevent unauthorised visitors and protection to residents.
• To provide level access for patrons or at least improved mobility away from areas with stairs to ensure the building is accessible.
• To straighten circulation corridors to reduce blind spots, improve observation and assist movement of equipment or patients.
• To improve wayfinding principles that guide people through the physical environment and enhance their understanding and experience of the spaces.

In addition to these principles are environmental considerations such as good lighting, acoustic attenuation, temperature, humidity, and to create a comfortable homely environment that can be easily maintained. Access to all areas of the home, including outdoor environments are fully wheelchair accessible and designed to meet the needs of all service users, including those with physical, sensory and cognitive impairments.

Determining and controlling who is authorised to enter a building is part of a building’s safety design. Residential care homes have to deal with a large number of people as well as permanent members of staff these include temporary staff, residents and visitors. With such a transient population and potentially vulnerable individuals, the security of valuables, residents, and confidential information needs to be a priority.

Entry into the building is controlled by doors fitted with electromagnetic locks with swipe card readers. But safety should not just be about access, it also needs to consider safe escape from a building in an emergency. Security must not be at the cost of safety. Emergency exit systems ensure safe escape and rescue routes in the building in the case of danger.

As part of the contract the car park layout was re-surfaced and levels adjusted with localised regrading.

In 2020, we turned our attention to renovating the ground floor of the Victorian building. Alterations included:

• The installation of ensuite shower rooms.
• The removal of internal walls.
• A replacement flat roof.
• The installation of new windows.

Guidance consulted when approaching the design

Care Inspectorate

The Care Quality Commission

Relevant planning, building, health and safety, fire regulations

Discoveries that caused the initial design to be revised

Particular room layouts such as the commercial kitchen, assisted bathroom and hair salon were continuously fined tuned as the main reconfiguration works progressed and expenditure realised. A seating area was also included in the circulation corridor for better natural light and access to electrical switch gear.