- Location:
- Reading
- Services:
- Budget:
- £0.97m
- Client:
- The Kingswood Trust
- Size:
- 600 m2 GIA
- Sector:
- Residential - Care & Social
The project comprised the full adaptation and modernisation of the Trust’s existing five bedroom care home for residents with severe autism and the construction of a two-storey, five bedroom residential wing for permanent student residents with less severe autism, thus doubling the floor space of the facility.
The ground floor provides teaching and activity rooms, dining, kitchen and staff facilities with ensuite bedroom accommodation at first floor level. The project also includes a specially designed sensory garden for residents.
It offers a transition from school to adult life which involves a huge change for people with autism. By offering life skills and vocational training, they can be prepared and fully equipped for entering into paid work in a variety of occupations, according to their individual wishes and abilities.
The development was phased to enable the existing residential accommodation to remain in occupation until the new wing was ready for use, limiting the levels of disruption for the residents. The sensitivity to disturbance of some of the residents required a close liaison between the client, project team and contractor to minimise impact upon the residents. The projects is located in a residential area and required detailed planning discussions to resolve concerns of neighbours.
