Connecting older residents with their community in the heart of London Rotherhithe, London
Appleby Blue
by JTRE LondonAppleby Blue is a modern almshouse, intended to reduce loneliness and isolation by bringing community groups into the building and promoting interaction between residents.
Designed by Witherford Watson Mann Architects and delivered by JTRE London, the development consists of 57 homes, gardens and a community space, providing genuinely low-cost, extra-care sheltered living for around 90 Southwark residents, enabling them to grow older and to stay part of their community.
The building’s mass is softened considerably with a distinctive bend away from the street in the centre of the facade, a set-back, zinc-clad top storey and a unique double-height, oak-façade occupying two-thirds of the length of the facade.
The extensive internal courtyard façade cladding was built using oak supplied by Hewins. This massive wall, broken up by oak detailing, gives a modern natural backdrop to the courtyard. The courtyard space is enhanced by the oak façade and helps prevent loneliness and isolation by creating spaces where people can interact.
“The visibility of the street is really important to old people as they don’t want to be isolated,” says Stephen Witherford, director at Witherford Watson Mann. He adds that residents are already bringing wine and sitting in the big bay window on the first floor overlooking the street on Saturday evenings so they can watch the world go by.
In a continuation of the philosophy behind the bay window at the front of the building, further oak is used, combined with a glass façade, to protect the access balconies from the elements. These balconies are also an important social space as they feature places to sit and planters so that residents can personalise the space outside their front door.
The generous balconies are flooded with light and afford good views over the courtyard garden and the rooftop garden at higher levels. All the apartments are arranged around an internal courtyard garden that provides an oasis of calm at the centre of the building and gets light deep into the plan.
"Hewins were brilliant with their customer service and when the oak arrived it was beautiful. The smell of fresh cut oak filled the courtyard for weeks. Overall, our experience with Hewins was exemplary because they were proactive and delivered an excellent product."
Roger Walsh, Director of Technical
Air Dried, Prime Grade
Seasoned naturally to achieve a moisture content relative to the outdoor environment, Air Dried is well suited to external applications such as gates, exposed external doors and balustrades. Due to the controlled and gradual...
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Kiln Dried, Prime Grade
Fully seasoned and kilned to achieve a moisture content relative to the indoor environment, Kiln Dried is the correct choice for all interior joinery. Our Prime Grade production is regarded as a benchmark for high quality...
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