Westhorpe Gardens – Projects
Westhorpe Gardens
About Westhorpe Gardens
| Client: | Metropolitan Thames Valley |
| Sector: |
Living Retirement |
| Value: | TBC |
| Location: | Barnet, London |
| Status: | In Progress |
The Westhorpe Gardens extra care scheme forms part of the second project Pozzoni has designed for Metropolitan Thames Valley.
The site is located at the centre of the proposed Westhorpe Gardens and Mills Grove housing estate regeneration project and is adjacent to an existing school. As such, the development has future intergenerational and community aspirations.
This scheme adopts similar architectural design principles as the overall development. In line with our aim to retain the natural character of the site, a significant mature tree is the central point around which the ‘U’-shaped facility will be oriented.
The facility is to include a mix of 79 affordable rent and private sale, 1 and 2-bed open plan apartments with balconies, that will be arranged across two 7-storey accommodation wings and a lower 5-storey element. This element will contain shared facilities at ground floor and a second-floor terrace, with apartment accommodation and covered external walkways above.
An inviting double height glazed entrance foyer and large flexible space encourage activities, social interaction and a sense of community amongst residents.
The shared amenity spaces and community use café will be centrally located, adjacent to external public spaces. The design allows visual permeability from east to west, connecting the street, private retirement garden and the central public space.
The form and composition of building elements are responsive to the site characteristics. Subtle details pull together these elements, providing a calming effect to the overall coherence of the buildings, with a neutral palette of materials sensitive to the surrounding context.
It was important that the architect for this scheme was responsive to our needs, understood our residents' needs and had a strong awareness of the local environment. Further, the architect needed to be adaptive to the design needs of the planning authority and provide a scheme that met the Greater London Authority’s aspirations. The proposed scheme needed to be organic and functional, a home and a place for a community to grow. I am pleased to say Pozzoni met these requirements and was committed throughout the project to ensuring a high degree of diligence and quality.
Mohammed Habib - Metropolitan Thames Valley
