Reflecting on Dementia Action Week (15-21 May), recently I was lucky enough to revisit one of our previous schemes – Hazelhurst Court in Lewisham.

This award-winning Extra Care scheme, completed in 2017, provides 60 independent homes for older people and strongly embraces the HAPPI standards, to enable residents to live more independently in their homes for longer. Although the HAPPI principles could apply to any residential setting, they are a key starting point when designing for dementia, because of the emphasis placed on maintaining a high quality of life, independence and a sense of community.

Key features such as dual aspect homes have been very successful, offering clear views towards green spaces, so residents can enjoy the changing seasons. The majority of the scheme was also designed around a central courtyard which allows outlook between floors, to encourage interaction between neighbours.

Residents have spoken about the benefits of a lively onsite lounge and café which acts as a social hub within the building. It was also nice to see that residents have taken ownership of the courtyard garden, which is now much more developed since handover and has become a communal activity space in the heart of the scheme.

Subtle features such as planters outside kitchen windows which can be personalised by residents, and differently coloured communal carpets on each floor, also help to improve wayfinding around the building without making it feel institutional.

More information about the scheme can be found here.