Having spent many years designing a variety of healthcare schemes for numerous providers I've developed a specialism in the sector. In particular my passion lies in designing buildings for people living with dementia, autism & other complex needs where a sensitively designed building can dramatically improve quality of life, this is always my driving force and is the reason I do what I do.I always endeavour to create environments in which I would like my family members to reside. 'The Chocolate Works Care Village' in York is one such example. Here the atmosphere is described by visitors/residents as 'luxury hotel', far removed from the stereotypical 'care home' of the past. Further emphasising the buildings success, it received many design awards, including IHEEM 'Best Internal Environment' & Pinders 'Care Village of the Year'.Recently I've returned to several of the care homes I previously designed for Springfield & met with residents, family members and staff who gave honest feedback. They openly shared which design elements they felt were most successful & where lessons could be learned. Having been fortunate enough to take part in the DSDC's superb course: Intersection of Dementia and Design, myself and a member of the Springfield team have gone on to carry out the DSDC's self assessment tool at these homes, the most enlightening of experiences!I've been delighted to work with Springfield Healthcare over the years. The most sensational care project I was lucky enough to design for them was Grove House, Harrogate. Grove House is a wonderful project as it embraces a fully intergenerational integrated approach to care. I was honoured to visit Grove Road school alongside the very brilliant Graeme Lee to talk about the intergenerational care opportunities that will be on offer for residents and pupils alike when this new care setting opens. My hope is that in the future I may even be able to volunteer at this awesome setting, observing this innovative approach to care - the integration of children and the elderly first hand. Being an architect is the most fulfilling career, you enter many different worlds, no 2 days are the same. However of all the buildings I've designed over the years; Biomass straw pellet plants, farmers markets, distribution units, schools, retail parks, converter stations, resi properties etc. my heart/passion is in the field of care & I look forward to growing my involvement in the sector, with a focus on Best practice dementia care design, intergenerational care settings etc. in the very near future - watch this space! 🙂