Wichelstowe

Wichelstowe

Swindon

Re-Format was commissioned to produce design proposals for McCarthy Stone and Anchor, for a new ‘Retirement Community’ located on a designated site in Wichelstowe District Centre. The area is subject to a masterplan to expand Swindon through the creation of 4500 new homes and ancillary uses.

The development will be a total of 125 units, set across two separate buildings, comprising 44 retirement apartments and 81 assisted living apartments. Community facilities will include a resident’s lounge and bistro, wellness suite, hair and beauty salon, landscaped gardens and pocket park.

The design of the proposed development is largely influenced by the relationship between the site and the Wilts & Berks canal to the south, and the formal street setting to the north. On the street face, the buildings define a formal pattern by creating a rhythm of setbacks and projecting elements, providing articulation and visual interest. Entrances are clearly defined by prominent features and contrasting materials. The entrance of the smaller retirement living block addresses the urban vista which opens up to reveal the central pocket pack between the two buildings.

On the canal side both blocks have animated projecting wings which also form and enclose the private resident’s gardens. Threshold spaces are visually softened by articulated, landscaped grounds, which flow into the centra pocket park, providing a series of linked green spaces that connect to the canal side.