mæ architects recently announced that they were selected to design a ‘split-site’ elderly housing and healthcare hub project in Lisson Grove, Central London. Intended for City West Homes, on behalf of Westminster City Council, the housing scheme, which will be designed to HAPPI recommendations (Housing for an Aging Population Panel for Innovation), will bring contemporary, socially-orientated architecture to a deprived community which is desperately in need of re-invigoration. Construction is due to start at the end of 2013 and will be completed in two phases. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The project will accommodate existing residents of Penn House on Lisson Grove. Penn House will then be redeveloped for the mixed-use healthcare facility hub and additional housing. In all, the scheme will provide around 90 flats and 6000sq.m of healthcare space, community facilities, offices and 1,300 sq.m of enterprise space.
The City of Westminster’s brief sought a flagship scheme, which reaches the highest possible design and sustainability standards. The scheme will meet the exacting high standards of WCC and will be developed and progressed with the maximum resident and stakeholder involvement. The scheme will meet the Westminster Housing Renewal Strategy (March 2010) five key principles:
- To increase the supply and quality of affordable homes to meet a variety of local needs, including housing for families. - To improve the quality of the local environment with outstanding green and open spaces and housing that promotes low energy consumption and environmental sustainability.
- To promote a high quality of life for people of all ages and backgrounds, in safe, cohesive and healthy neighborhoods, supported by a range of high quality housing and excellent community facilities. - To enable people to maximize economic opportunity in Westminster with support for training, employment and enterprise and housing tenures which help those in work to remain in the City. - To create a more distinct sense of neighborhood, ending the physical divide between Westminster’s estates and surrounding local streets.
