Member Article

Work starts helping to care for older people in Wigan

Leeds based Brewster Bye Architects has secured planning for the significant refurbishment and extension of a care home at Brown Court in Wigan for Housing & Care 21 – a leading provider of retirement and extra care housing for older people. The firm is one of the UK’s leading architecture practices in the retirement housing sector, and the new design will not only improve the existing building’s sustainability, by using an external wall insulation system, but also allow for an aesthetic improvement of the home. The scheme also includes the refurbishment of existing communal spaces, external areas and the creation of a new draft lobby and entrance canopy. Work has already started on-site. Mark Henderson is a director at Brewster Bye, he says: “Our proposals will improve Brown Court for its residents by creating a more comfortable and environmentally friendly scheme.” Following the successful designs for Brown Court, Brewster Bye has been invited to discuss further work opportunities with Housing & Care 21 in Sunderland, Blackpool and Newhaven. Brown Court is a friendly, neighbourly development situated in a quiet area of Pemberton, close to local shops and two miles from Wigan town centre. As the 54 one bedroom flats were built in 1975, the building was looking somewhat tired, and these new designs will not only improve the appearance, but make the homes more suitable for modern living. Rupert Lecomber – Housing and Care 21 National Asset manager - “We have been impressed with the designs and work ethic of Brewster Bye, and look forward to furthering our relationship with the firm on future projects.” Housing& Care 21 is a not-for-profit organisation that operates in over 150 local authority areas - managing around 19,000 Retirement and Extra Care apartments - and providing over 80,000 hours of care each week to more than 31,000 customers.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Mortimer .