Tudor Gardens

Tudor Gardens extra care facility was one of the key outputs in the London Borough of Brent non-HRA housing PFI.

The project involved the demolition of three detached houses on a corner site and the new build of 15 extra care units, in two buildings. This project was critical for the Borough, as the new facility replaced an existing one which was unfit for purpose and did not meet any current standards. We were appointed to design and build the facility, with full risk transfer of the design and planning process.

Because existing residents were given the choice to move to the new facility at Tudor Gardens on completion, the project had a number of unique considerations. A number of residents were very vulnerable, so an exceptionally considerate consultation process was required, with comprehensive stakeholder engagement with residents, and their families and carers. Our innovative consultation solution included visits to other facilities, resident and carer user groups, and the use of fully flexible audio/visual and interactive modelling.

The final design saw a frame for the two buildings formed of concrete and block work. This provided a robust whole life construction for the client group. The facade is formed in render and Canelex (a reconstituted timber siding). The new buildings were constructed in two storeys, with four surface parking spaces on a block paving shared surface.

The small scale of the project meant there were no renewable energy requirements. However, as with all our projects, sustainability was the focus. Communal areas, and the bedsit apartment for visitors, are heated by a communal boiler, and the buildings achieved the EcoHomes ‘Very Good’ standard.

To ensure residents and carers a smooth transition to the new facility, it was crucial that the project was completed on time in March 2010. We delivered on programme, at 18 months from demolition to handover, and maintained high quality levels throughout the process.

The architects for this project were: Shepheard Epstein Hunter