IDP were the lead consultants on this innovative concept to refurbish an existing 43 bed dementia home in Coventry.

The project was developed in partnership with Coventry City Council, Department of Health and the King’s Fund to act as one of the UK’s showcase studies.

During the design stages IDP were keen to be a dementia champion and set up a comprehensive process of community involvement featuring design workshops for residents, staff and families, a design competition for local university students, a BBC Coventry radio documentary and a series of dementia seminars.

Residential lounges have been individualised through the introduction of stylised themes (music, garden and work) while the main communal space was re-designed to become a theatre and café.

Concepts were reinforced with the use of different colours, finishes and individually outsourced items to encourage resident interaction, but also assist in wayfinding.

The overall process has helped to promote consciousness of dementia care and encourage interaction within the Coventry community.

The proposals created a purposeful and sensitive environment, which is based on the principles of personalisation, interaction and stimulation.

Following the completion, the care home will be now continually assessed to enable research into the influence of architectural design on the life and wellbeing of people with dementia.

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