St John’s Home Nursing House // FKL architects
Text description provided by the architects.
The Concept of the building, based on a logical layout, is of a two storey bedroom block resting on the ground floor shared facilities. The new “Y” shaped block forms a sheltered secure courtyard at the centre of the plan and organises the external space into two gardens to the north and west that combine with the adjoining mature gardens to maximise the access to light and greenery for both residents and neighbours.
© FKL architects
© FKL architects
An existing 1970’s single storey building over parking is demolished, the ground floor slab is retained to form a new elevated secure garden deck accessible to all of the residents. The new accommodation attached to the rear of the existing building forms an internal courtyard, refocusing the existing chapel as the centre of the community from its former position surrounded by services.
© FKL architects
© FKL architects
The chapel courtyard is enclosed by a cloister forming a sheltered promenade linking the old building and new structure. A large assembly room open to the courtyard acts as a focus for daily activity and a space for seasonal events. The roof provides a terrace above that serves all residents and adds a secondary promenade.
© FKL architects
© FKL architects
The individual elements of the program are articulated using contrasting colours. This is intended to heighten a sense of place and facilitate wayfinding and the legibility of the layout for those with cognitive impairment. This attitude to colour is carried throughout the interior and becomes apparent in specific locations on the exterior.
© FKL architects
© FKL architects
This use of colour is informed by current best practice within the care community and for dementia design. The colours for the bedroom block are drawn from colours within the varied tones of the brickwork of St. Johns. The colour changes subtly between facades so that North and East faces are lighter and South and West a deeper shade.
© FKL architects
© FKL architects
The lightest elevation will face Merrion Village to the North to maximise the daylight available. As sunlight falls on darker shades they will appear lighter and match more closely to adjoining lighter shades. Supporting elements at Ground Floor Level are treated as part of the landscape and take on that materiality, fairfaced block for supporting elements, stone where people come into contact with the building and concrete for landscape elements separate from the building form.
© FKL architects
© FKL architects
The landscape is designed to stimulate the range of senses of the residents through scent, colour, texture, sound and taste – herbs, vegetables and fruit are grown and consumed by residents. Each garden has an individual character through the use of hard landscaping .
© FKL architects
© FKL architects
St John’s House Nursing Home Gallery
