CHELTENHAM HOME TO THE WEST OF ENGLAND’S ‘MOST INCLUSIVE BUILDING’

share our content

11/05/16

CHELTENHAM HOME TO THE WEST OF ENGLAND’S ‘MOST INCLUSIVE BUILDING’

National Star, who provide specialist further education, training, personal development and residential services for people with disabilities and acquired brain injuries, won the accolade for their commitment to creating a ‘home away for home’ for students.
 

This Local Authority Building Control (LABC) award recognises schemes which have gone beyond minimum design standards to ensure that the highest standards of inclusive design have been achieved, helping to avoid segregation and barriers to access and inclusion.

Built by Speller Metcalfe, the new site in Pittville provides five, purpose-built independent living blocks combined with care, learning and activity centres nestled between adjacent residents, a local primary school and a public park.

Andy Metcalfe, joint group managing director at Speller Metcalfe and highly involved with the scheme said: “The ground-breaking vision of Bradbury Gardens not only meets the requirements of those living and working here, it is truly inclusive – providing a home where medical and physical needs are not ‘out on display’.

“As one student has already told us, it doesn’t look like accommodation for disabled people, which is at the very heart of its design.”

To win the award, the project team, which includes National Star, Speller Metcalfe and coombes : everitt architects, had to evidence how they had gone over and above traditional building regulations to create a new type of accommodation for students.

Features include large bedrooms for two wheelchair users to turn in the same space at the same time – enhancing students’ communal space, automated controls for windows, curtains and doors, kitchens with high-low worktops and homely features such as a fireplace in the lounge.

Following the win, the scheme has also been shortlisted for the South West Built Environment’s ‘Project of the Year’, which will be announced next Friday (20th May).

Speller Metcalfe also took home the LABC award for ‘Best Public Service Building’ for their restoration of the Master’s House in Ledbury, Herefordshire.

Back to Newsfeed

share our content