The project.
This new care home located on the RBLI Village provides 15 exceptionally spacious rooms, with flexible living spaces, light and airy rooms and with modern en-suite facilities. RBLI’s brief was to deliver a space that offered a ‘home from home’ feel.
We worked closely with RBLI during the pre-planning phase to develop the brief and undertook an options appraisal to find the best layout and design for their budget. The home acts as a sister property to the adjacent Gavin Astor House, which offers 50 beds and more specialist care facilities.
Named after WW1 front line nurse Edith Appleton, RBLI’s Appleton Lodge provides apartments that do not have the feeling of a clinical environment, but that can augment the offer that they provide to deliver the right level of care required. Everything about these new spaces is warm and welcoming, just like being at home, with the knowledge of a safe environment. The building was constructed in masonry at ground floor level and used timber frame at the first floor.
As well as offering 15 private beds, Appleton Lodge features a Day Centre known as ‘The Lounge’ which non residents can visit, meet with residents and enjoy a meal from the integrated servery. This offers carers respite from their daily duties while knowing their loved ones are being cared
for.
The scheme has been fitted out to provide a homely atmosphere, with soft furnishings and fabrics, which compliment the decor. Each apartment has its own style ‘front door’ to bring the feeling of privacy and individuality to each one.
Appleton Lodge was granted the amazing honour of being opened by Her Majesty The Queen, as she visited RBLI ahead of Remembrance Day to celebrate the charity’s Centenary year.
