Situated near the River Dee, and looking towards the city of Aberdeen, the Banks O’ Dee care home has been vacant for several years. Despite being in generally good structural condition, the disused 1990s property had started to fall into disrepair, and a new purpose was essential to restore value to the site.
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Several plans were developed to explore the options for residential development; however, one proposal offered the best solution for the community.
As there is a shortage of social housing for those in need of care and other vulnerable and specialist groups, we are working with Bradley Craig Architects, Aberdeen City Council and Hillcrest Homes to develop a community project which will include 24 high-quality homes for some special target groups:
Complex care residents
General need residents
Specialist provision residents
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The complex, with an area for staff on call, will allow the residents to live as independently as possible and to stay connected to the broader community. The apartments have been designed with the end-user in mind. As such, flexibility in the design is required, so that the flats can be adapted to suit the residents’ changing needs. Different designs of the flats have been prepared so that the apartments can change functions quickly and easily in the future. This will address the current shortage of specialist facilities and complex care homes for people with specific needs, but also provides Hillcrest Homes with a future-proof, sustainable solution for housing in a changing world. The building will be re-clad and insulated to meet a high-performance for environmental efficiency, and there will be various amenity spaces, including a sensory garden, for the residents to enjoy together.
The Banks O'Dee project is seen as a flagship project to showcase the possibilities of transforming derelict and vacant property, while providing complex housing solutions.
More information about the project via The Press & Journal.