Design award for Station Court
Originally distributed by Silver Bullet media on behalf
of JDDK Architects
Your Homes Newcastle's Station Court development off the Fossway
in Walker has won a prestigious Lord Mayor's Design Award 2011 in
the Housing category.
Designed by the Newcastle-based practice of Jane Darbyshire
& David Kendall (JDDK) Ltd and constructed by Frank Haslam
Milan (FHM), the £1.8m development provides dedicated supported
housing for people with learning disabilities who have low level
support needs. It has been constructed on the site of a
former Fire Station, itself built on the site of a section of
Hadrian's Wall, part of which was uncovered during the construction
phase and is reflected in a paving feature to the front of the
development.
The scheme is also part of a framework agreement between FHM and
JDDK working for Your Homes Newcastle, which has involved three
schemes for vulnerable adult tenants at Jubilee Court in Fawdon,
Napier Street in Shieldfield which completes early next year, and
the Station Court development.
The scheme, which is managed by Your Homes Newcastle, consists
of 12 apartments and five bungalows designed as a 'Concierge Plus'
development which allows people with learning disabilities to live
independently in the community but with the added security of an
on-site concierge to deal with everyday issues and a little
emotional support if needed.
Project architect, Adam Vaughan, commented, "The scheme offers
luxurious modern accommodation and features two 'secure' shared
courtyards to each side of the apartments with the limited parking
required by the scheme located in a landscaped area to the front of
the site. This arrangement means that the circulation around the
buildings becomes entirely pedestrianised."
"With some building residents being wheelchair users, the
accessibility or rather ‘usability’ of movement routes around the
building has been designed to be compatible with their needs. All
entrances into the scheme therefore have level thresholds and wide
doors with the main entrance having power assisted doors so that
wheelchair users can negotiate it easily. Of the units provided,
ten are designed to meet the requirements of the Wheelchair Design
Guide and the remaining seven units meet Lifetime Homes
standard."
John Lee, chief executive at YHN, added, “The scheme has been
fully occupied since it opened last summer and feedback from
tenants has been excellent. Many of them had been living in
inappropriate and expensive accommodation which hampered their
ability to live independently. We’re delighted to have won this
award as it recognises the impact that Station Court has had on the
lives of the tenants that have moved there.”
Mark Connor, Operations Manager at FHM North East, said: “We are
very proud to have developed Station Court on behalf of Your Homes
Newcastle, providing excellent new homes for vulnerable people in
the City.”
“There is a need to provide dedicated supported housing
for young families who have low level support needs and we are
pleased that this scheme is meeting their requirements and
aspirations."
Click
here to view the winning entry