Care Home Refurbishment
Project Overview
This comprehensive care home refurbishment delivered a holistic upgrade to an established residential facility, addressing both operational and welfare considerations. The project modernised building systems, enhanced care delivery environments, and improved resident comfort whilst maintaining continuity of operations. Strategic phasing allowed the facility to remain occupied throughout, demonstrating careful planning and coordination with care staff and residents.
Key Challenges
- Maintaining occupied operations during significant refurbishment works
- Upgrading building services whilst managing disruption to vulnerable residents
- Meeting enhanced healthcare and accessibility standards
- Improving thermal performance and energy efficiency of aging infrastructure
- Balancing care environment improvements with cost efficiency
Scope of Work
Works encompassed replacement of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; upgrading insulation and window treatments for improved thermal performance; refurbishment of resident bedrooms and communal areas; enhanced infection control provisions in clinical spaces; and comprehensive accessibility improvements throughout. The project included careful specification of dementia-friendly design principles, improved lighting for well-being, and refurbished bathrooms and toilet facilities to current care standards. All works were coordinated with phasing plans to manage resident welfare during construction.
Design Approach
Our design philosophy prioritised resident welfare and operational efficiency. We engaged extensively with care staff to understand daily workflows and identified opportunities to enhance the care environment through thoughtful spatial planning and material selection. Design interventions were guided by evidence-based care home design principles—including natural light maximisation, colour and contrast strategies for dementia care, and acoustic treatments to reduce institutional character. The refurbishment created a more pleasant, functional, and safe environment whilst reducing long-term operational costs through improved building performance.
Key Features & Outcomes
- System Upgrades – Modern mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems ensuring reliability and reduced maintenance costs
- Thermal Improvement – Enhanced insulation and windows reducing energy consumption and improving resident comfort
- Care Environment – Thoughtfully refurbished spaces designed to support diverse care needs and promote resident well-being
- Accessibility – Enhanced accessibility and safety provisions meeting current care standards and regulations
- Operational Continuity – Strategic phasing allowing facility operations to continue throughout the project