Retirement Living & Care Brochure

Retirement Living & Care

Volume 01

Introduction

GFA have an enviable track record in designing and delivering award-winning integrated retirement communities (IRCs) and care homes. We work across all the RIBA work stages from formulating the brief to postoccupancy evaluation, and are especially proud to have been at the forefront of creating a diverse portfolio of schemes within this important industry sector.

We deliver high-quality contextual designs that are committed to creating sustainable communities that promote health and well-being through excellent architecture. We are passionate about our involvement in this sector, and proud of our certifications as RIBA Client Advisers and Passivhaus Designers. The most rewarding aspect of our vocation is the positive feedback we receive from those that live in the buildings and spaces we design.

This brochure sets out a selection of our projects and buildings designed specifically for our ageing population.

Our Experience

Stage 1 Preparation & Brief Stage 2 Concept Design Stage 3 Developed Design Stage 4 Technical Design Stage 5 Construction Stage 6 Handover

Approach

We continue to promote the RIBA Plan of Work as a framework for project phases. This venerable project planning tool accommodates new approaches to design, such as BIM and post-occupancy evaluation. The Plan of Work divides the project process into defined stages, allowing both the client and design team to measure programme and determine outputs.

We have extensive experience across all work stages and can provide specific input dependent on which stage of the programme a project is at. Our team use BIM technology in the delivery of all projects, which improves workflow and coordination across the design team. The use of these types of software allows us to offer a comprehensive aftercare service, project maintenance and defect monitoring. The following projects showcase our expertise at every stage of the RIBA Plan of Work, allowing insight into our capabilities as a practice and wide ranging portfolio of retirement living and care projects.

Preparation and Brief

At the early stages of the project, Gaunt Francis Architects have extensive experience in defining the project brief, developing feasibility studies and advising on schemes.

Within our office we have a RIBA Client Adviser, who works alongside the client team to manage the design process from its earliest stages. This helps define and deliver the best long-term solution that will fulfil the aims and requirements of the project.

We have worked alongside many clients to develop the brief for their project and organisation. This allows us to listen to client requirements and translate their needs into a brief that will formulate into a successful project.

As a practice we have the skills and expertise for due diligence on any scheme. We will critique and test any scheme in an advisory role.

Our feasibility studies focus on providing a contextual and unique response to the site and brief. We sketch our schemes to fully understand the opportunities and constraints of the site, which allows us to create proposals that are unique to the project.

1

Blythe Valley Care Home, Solihull

Project Profile: 1. Alderley Park IRC, Feasibility 2. Alderley Park IRC, Feasibility 3. Blythe Valley, 80 Bed Care Home

Project Profile: Inglewood Walled Garden IRC, Kintbury 22 Retirement Homes New Build in Historic Walled Garden

Project Profile: 1.Birkdale IRC, Southport 2. Inglewood Walled Gardens IRC, Kintbury 3. Tudor Grange, Grade II Listed Care Home

Project Profile: 1. Activity Sketches 2. Whitebrook, Maidenhead IRC Feasibility

Project Profile:

Sunningdale Park IRC, Ascot

105 Retirement Homes, 161,500 sqft

Grade II Listed Building

Conversion and New Build in Greenbelt

Concept Design

The outcome for Stage 2 is an architectural concept for the project that meets the client’s brief and incorporates all available site information.

During this stage we draw inspiration from the site context and client brief to develop and test initial design proposals. We use sketches, drawings, physical models, and sophisticated 3D software to communicate our ideas. We review the emerging proposals regularly with the client and other stakeholders to obtain feedback and refine the design. This part of the process is iterative and collaborative.

It is important at this stage to identify the key issues that will influence the design and to produce a project-specific strategy for each. These will vary from project to project but are likely to include cost and procurement, sustainability, planning and inclusive design. It is also important to identify any detailed tasks that are critical to the development of the overall concept and need to be undertaken at this stage.

Our extensive experience gives us an exceptional awareness of the issues relevant to this stage and to anticipate what will be required in future stages. We can assist in assembling design teams, procuring site information and developing strategies for all aspects of the project. We are flexible and responsive, ready to work alongside the client and stakeholders to explore and secure the best possible outcome for the project.

2

Redwood Lodge, Bristol

Project

Profile: Redwood Lodge IRC, Bristol 126 Retirement Homes, 160,000 sqft New Build in Greenbelt

Project Profile: Buckler’s Park IRC, Crowthorne 85 Retirement Homes New

Build

Project Profile: Cambridge IRC

150 Retirement Homes, 204,000 sqft includes 94 Bed Care Home, 67,000sqft

New

Build

Project Profile:

Piers Estate

Lingfield

Retirement Homes, 200,000 sqft New build in Greenbelt

St

IRC,

152

Spatial Coordination

The outcome for Stage 3 is a spatially co-ordinated design that validates the architectural concept and is technically robust. During this stage we carry out further detailed design work and analysis to test the assumptions made during Stage 2. We lead the design team and coordinate their input, consulting with product suppliers and specialists where necessary. Project strategies are updated and augmented, Building Regulations reviews undertaken, and an outline specification produced to assist with cost planning.

We have a thorough understanding of the legal and statutory frameworks for development and an excellent track record in obtaining planning permissions for complex and challenging sites. Increasingly we work alongside planning and PR consultants on larger schemes and advocate a collaborative approach wherever possible. We invariably find that building relationships and seeking to earn trust from the outset is crucial to a successful planning process.

Some clients wish to press ahead with procurement at the end of Stage 3. We have wide experience in preparing further design information to an appropriate level of detail for Employer’s Requirements to remove risk from the procurement process and fix the quality aspirations at an early stage. We can also assist in tendering activity and the preparation of pre-contract information to maintain momentum on a project during the planning determination period.

3

Mote House, Bearsted

Project Profile: Mote Park IRC, Bearsted 101 Retirement Homes, 150,000 sqft Grade II* Listed Building Conversion and New Build

Project Profile: Clevedon IRC, Ilkley 90 Retirement Homes, 127,000 sqft New Build and Facade Retention in Greenbelt

Project Profile: Fairmile IRC, Cobham 74 Retirement Homes, 107,000 sqft New Build

Project Profile: Fairmile IRC, Cobham 74 Retirement Homes, 107,000 sqft New Build

Project Profile:

Watford 255 Retirement Homes, 290,000 sqft New Build

Mayfield IRC,

Project Profile: Chalfont Dene IRC, Chalfont St Peter 142 Retirement Homes, 187,000 sqft New Build in Greenbelt

Project Profile:

Chalfont Dene IRC, Chalfont St Peter 142 Retirement Homes, 187,000 sqft New Build in Greenbelt

Technical Design

The outcome for Stage 4 is the completion of all design information required to construct the project. GFA have extensive experience of most common forms of procurement and our technical delivery teams understand what level of detailed information is required to ensure that the quality of the concept is preserved through the construction stage. Good communication within the core design team and other specialist subcontractors is essential and we always strive to forge and maintain good working relationships. We use BIM software, file-sharing and advanced document management tools to facilitate the flow and coordination of design information.

Our ‘back catalogue’ of completed projects gives us a wealth of specialist technical knowledge and experience to draw on and this platform allows us to concentrate on the elements and details that make a project special. We are always looking for innovative ways to improve the product and the process of construction and encourage clients to be forward-thinking in an ever-changing industry.

On larger projects, we have dedicated roles within our project teams for discharging planning conditions, providing legal and sales information if required at this stage and managing the Building Regulations approval process.

4

Ellerslie House, Malvern

Project Profile:

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 LIVING ROOM 100 BEDROOM ELECTRICAL KITCHEN POOL ROOM DATUM: 150.000 3730 3200 3690 3190 3000 166.810 SECOND FLOOR: 163.810 FIRST FLOOR: 156.930 LOWER GROUND E E Audley Court Limited MALVERN former Hillstone School 14020 Construction Section E-E KEY

Ellerslie IRC, Malvern 101 Retirement Homes, 143,000 sqft Grade II Listed Building Conversion and New Build

Project Profile:

Scarcroft Park IRC, Scarcroft

172 Retirement Homes, 232,000 sqft

Grade II Listed Building

Conversion and New Build in Greenbelt

Project Profile: Scarcroft Park IRC, Scarcroft

172 Retirement Homes, 232,000 sqft

Grade II Listed Building Conversion and New Build in Greenbelt

Project Profile: Mayfield IRC, Watford 255 Retirement Homes, 290,000 sqft New Build

Project Profile:

Mayfield IRC, Watford 255 Retirement Homes, 290,000 sqft New Build

Construction

Stage 5 comprises the construction and commissioning of the project. Here our focus is on supporting the construction team by dealing with site queries efficiently, reviewing quality and progress and preparing for practical completion. We are able to perform various roles and provide a range of services at this stage depending on the contractual relationships in place.

We understand the importance of people skills and positive engagement during what can be a stressful phase of any project, and actively promote a proactive approach to problem-solving.

We also understand the importance of providing high quality record data for handover and tying up all ‘loose ends’ to enable the client to occupy the scheme and fulfil their obligations to future occupiers be that the discharge of planning conditions, Building Regulations approvals and certifications.

Regardless of the size, significance and complexity of the project or the procurement route taken, our priority is always to deliver the best possible outcome so we are tenacious in our pursuit of quality. We want everyone involved to be proud of the finished result.

5

Coopers Hill, Runnymede

Coopers Hill IRC, Runnymede 128 Retirement Homes, 206,000 sqft Building Conversion and New Build in Greenbelt

Project Profile:

Northcote House, Sunningdale

Project Profile:

Sunningdale Park IRC, Ascot

105 Retirement Homes, 161,500 sqft

Grade II Listed Building

Conversion and New Build in Greenbelt

Handover

Stage 6 starts with the building being handed over to the client. We work with the construction team to identify any residual defects as promptly as possible. Although our contractual involvement usually ends with the conclusion of the formal building contract, we are always willing to take part in post-occupancy evaluations and obtain initial feedback from users.

Many of our projects are for long-standing clients and understanding how a building performs in reality is valuable intelligence that can be used to develop or refine the brief for the next project.

“Audley Group have worked side-by-side with Gaunt Francis Architects for over 15 years and I have been delighted to watch both companies prosper thanks to the sense of teamwork, collaboration, and friendship that we have developed together. GFA have managed to combine excellence in customer service with high quality design and the attention to detail that helps us set our retirement villages apart from the competition.”