The practice hosted 70+ guests at The Building Centre to share findings from a two-year Government funded research project into global Later Living standards alongside The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at The Royal College of Art.
We heard from a range of industry experts on topics relating to the wider development of homes which speak to the changing needs, attitudes and requirements of real people who form part of our growing, and increasingly diverse older population.
To underpin our experts' thinking, Dr Cecilia Zecca, Richard Griffiths and James Pickard offered an introduction to our Government-funded research project alongside The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at The Royal College of Art which saw the compilation of over 50 of the world's 'best' later living schemes.
This longlist was refined to 13 through extensive research comprising cultural probing and interviews with residents, and their commonalities uncovered e.g. dual aspect, natural ventilation, in close proximity to greenery.
These commonalities would go on to influence the development of our new guiding principles and feature in our upcoming publication alongside supplementary context on how and why our exemplars were chosen.
It will be widely available within the coming weeks and can be applied to guide the improved development and design of later living homes for the widest number of people, ensuring an equitable future for the sector and senior housing for generations to come.
We extend our gratitude to a wonderful audience, and impassioned speakers for their crucial perspectives and continued support. We couldn't have done it without you and look forward to building on our collective momentum to make a tangible difference.
Speakers included:
Research partners: Cartwright Pickard and the RCA Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design
Industry partners: McCarthy Stone, Cudd Bentley, ABB, Bouygues UK
With thanks to: Nexus Planning, Housing Learning and Improvement Network, Abbeyfield Society, BNP Paribas Real Estate and the Older People’s Housing Taskforce
Research part funded by Innovate UK