Project:

Cheshire Ireland Special Needs Residential Development & Resource Centre, John’s Hill, Waterford, Ireland

Location:

John’s Hill, Waterford, Ireland

Client:

Cheshire Foundation Ireland

Value:

€3.5m

Sector:

Residential; Community; Health + Social Care; Public Sector

Area:

0.8ha Site

Status:

Completed 2003

Key Numbers:

24 no. Own-Door Residential Units for People With Physical Disabilities

Awards / Nominations:

Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) Award. 2003.

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The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, constructed its Waterford complex, on a mature site at John’s Hill in Waterford City. The site of 0.8 hectares is partly surrounded by existing stone walls and mature trees. The complex was designed to maximise the site’s potential.

The design brief was to provide 24 no. own–door residential units for people with physical disabilities, who wish to live independently coupled with a central resource centre and restaurant facility providing an environment where care could be provided if requested.

Externally, access to all areas is provided by covered walkways and car–parking is provided to allow the occupants to disembark in shelter from cars adjacent to the covered walkway.

All internal and external doors can be automated if required and in addition, all internal electrics can be automated if required. Bathroom areas provide a large comfortable space and have been designed to be readapted with ease to suit individual disabilities if required Kitchen facilities are automated to raise or lower to suit specific requirements of individuals. All windows are designed to allow views of the garden areas from either a bed position or a wheelchair position.

The resource facility forms the central link to the whole complex, containing the administration centre, community rooms and provides interaction with the public and residents on a daily basis and is also used as a resource centre for disability services within Waterford City. The design received an Irish National Award from the Irish Council of Social Housing for its excellence.