With an ageing population, more and more people are looking to retirement living options to ensure they receive care and comfort in later life.
Understanding the need to deliver homes designed specifically for older people in the city, Sheffield City Council appointed United Living New Homes to provide an affordable, attractive development for independent living that meets older people’s aspirations.
As part of the second phase of its first council housing project in more than 30 years, our experienced retirement living team delivered 122 Old Persons Independent Living (OPIL) 1&2-bed apartments and 18 learning disability bungalows for social rent.
Buchanan Green offers spacious, modern living for the over 60’s, with the latest assistive technology to promote independence. Built to Housing for an Ageing Population Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) and Extra Care Housing design standards, the development includes wheelchair-accessible units as well as a café, multi-purpose communal rooms, residents lounge and guest accommodation offering a sense of community with many opportunities to socialise with like-minded people.
To help Sheffield City Council reduce its carbon footprint, we created an energy-efficient community, which existing and future residents will benefit from. There are 2 central courtyards and plenty of green outdoor space for gardening and socialising, recycling facilities, electric car charging points and bicycle storage.
The scheme required extensive design development and option appraisal during the pre-construction stage to align with the client’s budget.
We, therefore, led a series of collaborative open book design meetings with the design team and Sheffield City Council. After careful consideration of traditional and modern methods of construction, a conventional load-bearing brick and block build solution was chosen.
To ensure total cost transparency in developing the design, we employed a project management company to carry out the budget consideration to ensure all factors were considered, independent of ourselves, giving comfort to the client that the scheme was achievable within budget.
People are at the heart of what we do, and we look to create a lasting positive legacy in the communities in which we operate. As part of our social value commitments on the development, we delivered a careers workshop with Sheffield Park Academy and provided work experience/apprenticeship opportunities for young people in Sheffield.
Whether you have a specific project in mind or if you’d like to find out more about the work we do and how we can help you, we’d love to hear from you.
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