Pencric Penkridge, Staffordshire

As well as providing bespoke residential care and a 24 hour on-site care service, Pencric also houses a range of facilities for both residents and the wider community. These include spaces for social and leisure use such as a restaurant, hairdressers, beauticians and gymnasium, and also educational opportunities aimed at fulfilling residents' ambitions.

Located in the heart of Penkridge, Pencric replaces the Silverdene Care Home which had become outdated and was demolished in 2010. A replacement scheme was rallied into being by the local community and Pencric is now a firmly established part of that community: fully designed and equipped to provide for modern, senior living.

In touch with nature

The building is unified by the landscaped gardens that wrap around the scheme. The mature trees on the banks were retained as part of the design because of their ecological and aesthetic value. These provide a screen for the building and help the scheme belong to its context. A pond, wildflower meadow areas, fruit trees and an area of raised beds, with a potting shed for accessible gardening, have been incorporated into the landscape design. These features have helped not only to improve the biodiversity of the site but provide a welcome 'green space' for the residents to enjoy whatever the season.