Alresford Alresford West Sussex Re-Format was commissioned to produce a design for McCarthy Stone on the Warwick Trailer site in New Alresford. The building is an ‘Extra Care Assisted Living’ facility with 49 apartments for elderly people along with the associated accommodation. The building has been laid out around a central landscaped courtyard that is viewable from The Dean. The Extra Care development is approached by a landscape softened drive. The form of the building has been designed so that it not only creates a landscaped courtyard but also responds to the topography of the site. This is achieved by sub-dividing the home into a series of volumes that have differing heights. Thus the overall composition relates to the natural slope of the site and creates a vibrant roof scape. The shared communal spaces at lower ground level open out onto communal landscaped gardens, either to the central courtyard or perimeter, split level gardens. The scheme has been developed to retain and reinforce the current landscaping with the existing planting and trees on the boundaries being supplemented and enhanced. The introduction of a strong dense line of planting to the eastern boundary transforms the current unsightly and industrial nature of the site. The central open courtyard space is planted with a number of substantial trees. These, along with the planting to the side of the access drive, provides a pleasing vista from The Dean.
