At Balhousie Care Group we're very aware of our responsibilities to the environment and future generations.
Our new build properties are being designed with a substantial focus on the issues of sustainability, renewable energy utilisation and energy conservation.
All new Balhousie homes will feature a highly insulated construction system which is in excess of today's minimum Building Regulations requirements.
Our architects have designed two of our new homes with an capsulated air type timber structural envelope which incorporates triple glazed windows and air tight certification. Solar Water heating systems and under-floor heating systems will be used along with grey water recovery system/rainwater harvesting. Low energy light fittings controlled via PIR sensors – where appropriate will also help keep our energy utilisation to the minimum as will the addition of natural light areas throughout the main buildings. All our boilers will be from the "Energy Technology List" and be eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances Scheme.
We've asked our architects to place major consideration on making our new care homes as environmentally friendly as is possible, even if this increases our build and total project costs, because we believe it's vital to make that investment in tomorrow – today!
The Pitlochry Care Home, for Balhousie Care Group
The Site
The Pitlochry Care Home, for Balhousie Care Group, is located only a few minutes walk from Pitlochry High Street and completes the larger recently completed Healthcare development located within what was formerly undeveloped woodland.
The setting for the development is located on open pasture surrounded on all sides by mature oak woodland, on rising ground. The contours of the site and the extent of, and the desire to retain, the mature oak woodland was a deciding factor in the design of the overall development, providing wonderful views out onto the sloping woodland and new landscaped gardens. The development radiates of the single curving access road which enters the site on the eastern side and terminates in the southwest corner in front of the new Care Home.
The Scheme
Local authority: Perth and Kinross Council
Client: Balhousie Care Group
Contractor: G & J Seddon Ltd
Architect: Campbell and Arnott
Number of Bedrooms: 50
Cost: £3.1m
The Pitlochry Care Home is part of the larger public/private sector development that brings together several healthcare facilities onto a single site to provide a new community hospital, medical centre for a local GP practice and bases for district nurses, health visitors and Scottish Ambulance Service.
Features
The Care Home is a contemporary two storey, L - shaped building addressing and complementing the Hospital development. The main entrance and lounge areas to the front of the building are distinguished by the blue rendered blocks projecting out of the main building mass covered by a lower level canopy roof.
The main entrance is centrally placed, easily identifiable, giving controlled access to the main staircase and lift lobby, overlooked by the managers office allowing visitors through to the two wings with bedrooms stretching out to the north-west and north east.
The wings on each floor contain a 'House' unit with 10 or 11 bedrooms each with lounge area and sanitary facilities. An additional 7 bedroomed 'House' is provided on the first floor, above the service area, bringing the total number of bedrooms 50. One of the 'Houses' on the ground floor has been designated a Dementia wing. Service areas such as the kitchen, laundry room and staff facilities are all located on the ground floors back corner with a separate service entrance.
The building design takes advantage of its location by maximising the use of natural ventilation and ensuring high levels of daylighting throughout the building with its large glazed areas.
This along with careful attention to interior design and selection of materials has created a non-institutional environment which still manages to adhere to all of the Care Commission's and Building Standards requirements.
Completion Date: January 2009
Other Care Home Development News
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