Creating a homelike environment with a balance between social and private spaces.

Tipperary

This new 50-bed Community Nursing Unit for long term residents adjacent to Nenagh General Hospital replaces the outdated 1970s nursing home with a modern, compliant facility. The design was to create a homely environment to meet the specific needs of elderly care while encouraging residents to retain their independence and minimise isolation by maximising access to social spaces, ensuring that residents can easily and safely move throughout the building without requiring assistance.

Unique Challenges

The challenge was in designing spaces that were inviting and dignified, steering clear of an institutional feel and being mindful that this will be the final home for many residents. Given that many residents may have vulnerable minds, the environment needed to be carefully crafted to ensure comfort, safety, and a strong sense of community, all of which contribute to enhancing their physical health and overall quality of life.

Solving the Challenges with Design

The design prioritizes patient comfort, with abundant natural light and a central communal hub for social interaction and support services. Maximizing light enhances comfort, regulates circadian rhythms, and aids cognitive impairments. Secure garden views and thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces offer therapeutic benefits, while a wander management system ensures residents can move freely and safely, promoting independence without sacrificing safety.

How Challenges became Innovations

Key innovations include the integration of solar panels on the roof and the implementation of natural ventilation systems, both of which contribute to a healthier environment for residents while promoting energy efficiency.