Competition entry for a new development in Bishops Waltham to provide a range of attractive and adaptable house types for 'Baby Boomers' to live in from active early retirement through to old age. The brief called for a design which offered facilities that would not necessarily be in the resident's previous homes as a benefit for 'downsizing'. Our proposals arranged apartments and houses around a central 'green'. Both the buildings and the communal central space step up the sloping site bringing an existing tree covered bank into the site design. Each property type has a dedicated external space but also has use of the communal central space. This contains small rentable units that can be used as garden rooms, guest rooms, studios, workshops etc. as well as raised planters and small vegetable plots. The activity these generate will contribute to a lively heart to the site.

The homes are designed to generous Lifetime Home standards with good floor to ceiling heights. The apartments have flexible, open plan layouts which can be divided into rooms or linked internally. Some units have additional rooms with ensuite facilities for use as a study, for a carer or for family visits. The houses can be adapted to permit the installation of an internal lift to the upper levels. Through living spaces allow views and sunlight in two directions which will particularly benefir any occupants who are largely housebound.