\n<\/a>PegasusLife has hired\u00a0award-winning\u00a0architect\u00a0Sarah Wrigglesworth to incorporate wellbeing in the designs\u00a0of\u00a0its over-50s developments. JANE SLADE went to meet her to discover her secret formula<\/h3>\n
Designing homes for older people is not just about bricks and mortar.\u00a0As with other age groups, the over 50s are just as discerning about the kind of homes they want to live in, but they want something extra\u00a0\u2014 attention to their wellbeing.<\/p>\n
It was after award-winning architect Sarah Wrigglesworth witnessed the demise of her parents that she established herself as a later-life architect and set up Dwell: Designs for Wellbeing in the Environment in Later Life.<\/p>\n
To achieve the right design one has to imagine how the home will be used she says. \u201cWe have to put ourselves in the user\u2019s shoes looking at how people will use the property at different times of day and night, and in various weather conditions,” Sarah explains. “We have to take into considerations\u00a0people’s health conditions; and whether they can they see and hear.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccessibility, open spaces and wellbeing are all important but it is also vital for the user to have autonomy and independence.”<\/p>\n
Unusually perhaps, steps and stairs are an important element in Sarah\u2019s designs. \u201cThey are good for keeping fit,\u201d she asserts. Obviously lifts are included but it\u2019s all about creating a balance and having, what\u00a0she terms, \u2018a rich mix.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not designing care homes but places that look no different from traditional properties. However we need to acknowledge issues such as isolation, which is a killer, and consider this in the design. PegasusLife really understands the importance of this focus on people’s wellbeing unlike a lot of other developers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to build places where people can socialize if they want to and not if they don\u2019t want to. There are lots of models where people can live communally or not; and choosing sites within five minutes of friends and shops or in a more rural setting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are about creating communities through co-housing. We focus on size, good lighting, heating, insulation, and energy efficiency.<\/p>\n
\u201cLots of daylight is important especially if people have failing eyesight. The apartments also have to be big enough so a wheelchair can turn \u2013 there must also be room for kit and mobility aids and walk-in bathrooms. But you don\u2019t want an\u00a0 environment that looks medical.\u201d<\/p>\n
Technology is important too as Sarah acknowledges, but she argues that some schemes focus more in the IT capability than how easy it is to operate. \u201cRemotes need to be designed for people who have arthritis, or Parkinson\u2019s or can\u2019t see what\u2019s on the buttons. They are improving but a lot more needs to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quality developers like PegasusLife are incorporating the concept of wellbeing into their design strategies. \u201cThey are enlightened about design and really care about people and are prepared to be innovative,\u201d adds Sarah whose practice,\u00a0Sarah Wrigglesworth Architects,\u00a0is in North London.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 50 plus age group comprises a massive range of people with a variety of expectations but with one issue in common \u2013 they are looking for homes that are future proof and can be adapted to accommodate them and or their partner when they are less able.”<\/p>\n
Shell Cove, PegasusLife\u2019s project in South Devon will have everything in the right place Sarah argues.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe space size will be right, there will be lots of daylight, interconnecting rooms, views; sliding doors so rooms become interlinked and if you fall or are ill you can still participate in a social function from your bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah cautions buyers to check on these elements as well as access and size of communal spaces when buying a retirement property.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went to see some apartments from another developer and they had an eight-inch step to access the garden \u2013 shocking. The apartments were also long and thin with double-loaded corridors \u2013 flats on both sides, so\u00a0there was no daylight or outside air.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoor lighting means lights have to be kept on all day and night which can be expensive and long dark corridors also tend to overheat and don\u2019t inspire residents to stop and chat to each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cCorridors need to be well lit with cross ventilation,\u00a0and with a deck or balcony\u00a0to create a social area. It’s about\u00a0making wellbeing as important as bricks and mortar when it comes to design.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shell Cove is still in the planning stage at the moment but the plan is to break ground at the end of the summer. Apartments will incorporate shaded balconies with views of\u00a0a crescent beach, which will be accessed directly from the residence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really is a beautiful site,\u201d adds Sarah, who is also focussed on the landscaping.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe start with the landscape and look at what local conditions tell us,\u201d she explains. \u201cWe\u00a0found out what the geological and agrarian opportunities are?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work with the environment that is there. We examine what plants and flowers are growing, which will define the plants we will use.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even the history of the site is taken into consideration.<\/p>\n
![\"PegasusLife](\"http:\/\/newclone.retiremove.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/PegasusLife-Dawlish.jpg\")
<\/a>Dawlish, South Devon<\/p><\/div>\n
Shell Cove used to be a manor house with a lovely red brick walled garden with old apple trees.<\/p>\n
So the plan is to retain the atmosphere and plant more apples trees local to the Devon area and create an event round them that can involve the residents such as cider making.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately the original manor house is being replaced as it has become so altered, recently being converted into holiday cottages.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will house 16 apartments in the new scheme which will be just as lovely and have beautiful sea views,\u201d Sarah insists.<\/p>\n
For more information about Shell Cove and other developments from PegasusLife please visit www.pegasuslife.co.uk<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_map _builder_version=”3.0.87″ address=”Exmouth EX8, UK” zoom_level=”11″ address_lat=”50.619957″ address_lng=”-3.4137020000000575″ mouse_wheel=”on” mobile_dragging=”on” use_grayscale_filter=”off” border_radii=”|0px|0px|0px|0px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ border_width_all=”5px”] [et_pb_map_pin _builder_version=”3.0.87″ pin_address=”Dawlish, UK” pin_address_lat=”50.582285″ pin_address_lng=”-3.4644020000000637″ \/] [\/et_pb_map][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Designing homes for older people is not just about bricks and mortar.\u00a0As with other age groups, the over 50s are just as discerning about the kind of homes they want to live in, but they want something extra\u00a0\u2014 attention to their wellbeing.<\/p> It was after award-winning architect Sarah Wrigglesworth witnessed the demise of her parents that she established herself as a later-life architect and set up Dwell: Designs for Wellbeing in the Environment in Later Life.<\/p> To achieve the right design one has to imagine how the home will be used she says. \u201cWe have to put ourselves in the user\u2019s shoes looking at how people will use the property at different times of day and night, and in various weather conditions,\" Sarah explains. \"We have to take into considerations\u00a0people's health conditions; and whether they can they see and hear.<\/p> \u201cAccessibility, open spaces and wellbeing are all important but it is also vital for the user to have autonomy and independence.\"<\/p> Unusually perhaps, steps and stairs are an important element in Sarah\u2019s designs. \u201cThey are good for keeping fit,\u201d she asserts. Obviously lifts are included but it\u2019s all about creating a balance and having, what\u00a0she terms, \u2018a rich mix.\u2019<\/p> \u201cWe are not designing care homes but places that look no different from traditional properties. However we need to acknowledge issues such as isolation, which is a killer, and consider this in the design. PegasusLife really understands the importance of this focus on people's wellbeing unlike a lot of other developers.<\/p> \u201cWe need to build places where people can socialize if they want to and not if they don\u2019t want to. There are lots of models where people can live communally or not; and choosing sites within five minutes of friends and shops or in a more rural setting.<\/p> \u201cWe are about creating communities through co-housing. We focus on size, good lighting, heating, insulation, and energy efficiency.<\/p> \u201cLots of daylight is important especially if people have failing eyesight. The apartments also have to be big enough so a wheelchair can turn \u2013 there must also be room for kit and mobility aids and walk-in bathrooms. But you don\u2019t want an\u00a0 environment that looks medical.\u201d<\/p> Technology is important too as Sarah acknowledges, but she argues that some schemes focus more in the IT capability than how easy it is to operate. \u201cRemotes need to be designed for people who have arthritis, or Parkinson\u2019s or can\u2019t see what\u2019s on the buttons. They are improving but a lot more needs to be done.\u201d<\/p> Quality developers like PegasusLife are incorporating the concept of wellbeing into their design strategies. \u201cThey are enlightened about design and really care about people and are prepared to be innovative,\u201d adds Sarah whose practice,\u00a0Sarah Wrigglesworth Architects,\u00a0is in North London.<\/p> \u201cThe 50 plus age group comprises a massive range of people with a variety of expectations but with one issue in common \u2013 they are looking for homes that are future proof and can be adapted to accommodate them and or their partner when they are less able.\"<\/p> Shell Cove, PegasusLife\u2019s project in South Devon will have everything in the right place Sarah argues.<\/p> \u201cThe space size will be right, there will be lots of daylight, interconnecting rooms, views; sliding doors so rooms become interlinked and if you fall or are ill you can still participate in a social function from your bed.\u201d<\/p> Sarah cautions buyers to check on these elements as well as access and size of communal spaces when buying a retirement property.<\/p> \u201cI went to see some apartments from another developer and they had an eight-inch step to access the garden \u2013 shocking. The apartments were also long and thin with double-loaded corridors \u2013 flats on both sides, so\u00a0there was no daylight or outside air.<\/p> \u201cPoor lighting means lights have to be kept on all day and night which can be expensive and long dark corridors also tend to overheat and don\u2019t inspire residents to stop and chat to each other.<\/p> \u201cCorridors need to be well lit with cross ventilation,\u00a0and with a deck or balcony\u00a0to create a social area. It's about\u00a0making wellbeing as important as bricks and mortar when it comes to design.\u201d<\/p> Shell Cove is still in the planning stage at the moment but the plan is to break ground at the end of the summer. Apartments will incorporate shaded balconies with views of\u00a0a crescent beach, which will be accessed directly from the residence.<\/p> \u201cIt really is a beautiful site,\u201d adds Sarah, who is also focussed on the landscaping.<\/p> \u201cWe start with the landscape and look at what local conditions tell us,\u201d she explains. \u201cWe\u00a0found out what the geological and agrarian opportunities are?<\/p> \u201cWe work with the environment that is there. We examine what plants and flowers are growing, which will define the plants we will use.\u201d<\/p> Even the history of the site is taken into consideration.<\/p>[caption id=\"attachment_18449\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"640\"] Shell Cove used to be a manor house with a lovely red brick walled garden with old apple trees.<\/p> So the plan is to retain the atmosphere and plant more apples trees local to the Devon area and create an event round them that can involve the residents such as cider making.<\/p> Unfortunately the original manor house is being replaced as it has become so altered, recently being converted into holiday cottages.<\/p> \u201cWe will house 16 apartments in the new scheme which will be just as lovely and have beautiful sea views,\u201d Sarah insists.<\/p>
<\/a>PegasusLife has hired\u00a0award-winning\u00a0architect\u00a0Sarah Wrigglesworth to incorporate wellbeing in the designs\u00a0of\u00a0its over-50s developments. JANE SLADE went to meet her to discover her secret formula<\/h3><\/a> Dawlish, South Devon[\/caption]