Alzheimer's Respite Centre

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Alzheimer's Respite Centre

Firm

Niall McLaughlin Architects

Type

Government + Health › Community Center

YEAR

2009

SIZE

100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft

Photographers: (c) Nick Kane; (c) Joanna KaratzasAlzheimer’s Disease affects memory and cognition. This in turn affects our ability to place ourselves in the world. We know where we are because we remember how we got here. A building designed for people with Alzheimer’s must renew the sense of presence that allows us to place ourselves in a situation. At any moment I might find myself lost and look for signs that will return me to the familiar.The Respite Centre is built in an 18th century walled kitchen garden; granite on the north and east, and warm bricks stocks on the sunward walls. We have placed the building to frame views of new garden spaces created between the new construction and the old enclosure. Each garden is orientated in a different direction and intended to be experienced at different times of the day. Users can move around rooms in the interior like a clock, experiencing change throughout their daily journey. Each garden is planted to generate character appropriate to its orientation. There are courtyards, orchards, allotments and lawns.The construction is made of radiating walls supporting square lanterns that bring light deep onto the plan. As you move through you are constantly provided with glimpsed views of gardens.