Reimagine Ageing

In 2012 McCarthy & Stone ran a competition to design a new concept in retirement living for the ‘baby boomer generation’. They were looking for a visionary development of privately-owned dwellings that combined innovation with sustainability. The design needed to reflect the differing aspirations, lifestyles and practical requirements of this generation as they moved into later life.

Ubu’s design entry was based around the concept of “pavillions in the landscape”

Our design adopted a building form which presented a series of pavilion-like forms, square on plan, displaying principal elevations of dwellings to all sides so that no aspect of the development was presented with a front/back condition. This arrangement enabled the site to become a shared realm for the enjoyment of all. The scheme intended to provide good density without resorting to excessive loss of landscape.

The site accommodated three pavilions which allowed for sufficient open space to enable views to the wooded escarpment, open recreational space and appropriate surface car parking provision for residents and guests.

The position of the buildings on the site were generated by the natural curve created by the escarpment behind, with the effect that upon entrance to the site the elevational planes of the buildings are irregularly angled to each other. As you moved through the site the perception of space constantly changed as landscaped spaces and views were visually compressed and opened up in equal measure.