A sensitively designed retirement housing scheme by RCKa is an exemplar for greenbelt towns
Designed by RCKa, Park House in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, is a high-density residential development commissioned by PegasusLife. Located in a conservation area, the three- and four-storey development comprises 38 apartments for retired people.
The town sits within the greenbelt and is struggling to provide sufficient housing, particularly for the older generations. The site, which is surrounded by listed buildings, had remained derelict for 14 years, before the architect unlocked the land with a more positive and ambitious approach that involved the local community.
Upper floor plans; apartment plan
Intended to combine a bold contemporary aesthetic with a sympathetic approach to the Arts & Crafts heritage of the town, the scheme provides 84 dwellings per hectare, which is 170 per cent higher than other schemes previously approved on the site. Charaterised by a gable-topped roofline, the scheme comprises three villas arranged around a central courtyard garden.
The residential floors have white-painted facades and feature changing brick patterns to prevent a monolithic aesthetic. A dark brick base wraps the ground floor, which houses communal and public amenities. The restaurant, which is located in the park-facing corner of the development, is designed to create a welcoming environment for local people and break down the gated community stereotype often associated with retirement homes.
“Bringing housing into town centre sites is more sustainable, less demanding on infrastructure and allows for higher density”, says Tim Riley, Director at RCKa. “The site is particularly sensitive, and the only way to unlock its full potential was to enhance the character of the wider area with high-quality design. Working closely with Pegasus Life, we’ve managed to create apartments and shared spaces that are full of natural light, as well as opportunities for wider community interaction with the restaurant open to the public. Park House has quickly become a part of everyday life in Harpenden, which demonstrates that density can work in harmony with placemaking in sensitive areas.”
Additional Images
