Associate Constanze Leibrock discusses the future of age-friendly housing with the RIBA's Neal Morris and Julia Park, Head of Housing Research at Levitt Bernstein.

‘Age-friendly housing not only needs to provide a secure private retreat for its inhabitants, but must enable residents to live actively and independently for longer within the wider community.’

Constanze is the lead project architect for Chapter House in Lichfield, which provides 38 apartments specifically designed around the needs of people as they age. The development makes use of internal and external facilities to encourage neighbourly interaction between new residents and locals, nurturing a sense of community and security. In addition to a communal lounge that opens up both to the external environment and an internal courtyard area, the scheme features a sequence of cloisters and walled gardens that offer a tranquil sheltered environment and create a sense of belonging.

A similar approach has been taken at Steepleton in Tetbury - inspired by local historic farmsteads and almshouses the residential buildings are clustered at a domestic scale around a series of open courtyards. This courtyard model encourages the establishment of small community groupings within the wider framework of the care village.

"Well-considered later living accommodation can help to combat loneliness and nurture a sense of community by encouraging neighbourly interaction both between residents and with the existing local community,' Constanze concludes.

The full article is available to read on the link below.