News Halton Court and The Architecture of HAPPI-ness

Halton Court and The Architecture of HAPPI-ness

Features, News, Press Releases

June 12, 2024

Located on the site of the former Ferrier Estate in the Royal Bourgh of Greenwich, Halton Court was designed at a time when the HAPPI report was emerging as a key design influence in the world of architecture. The report considered how to best address the challenge of providing homes that meet the needs and aspirations of the older people of the future. PRP embraced this challenge and designed a purpose-built housing scheme for residents over 55 which was subsequently awarded Housing Design Awards Best HAPPI Completed Project in 2010.

  

Fast forward 14 years into the future, it’s May 2024 and PRP returned to visit the completed building - chat with the residents and see how their needs and aspirations have indeed been met (and surpassed!). Keep scrolling to find out more!

 

Watch on YouTube:    https://youtu.be/CACJwT8f2mk

 

And the winning design feature is… 

 

Is it the break away from the institutional dull layout of long double-banked corridors?

Maybe the generous sizing of each apartment and the adjoining balconies and terraces?

Or possibly it’s the staggered external walls which allow for more windows that maximise day lighting and access to sunshine? Most of the flats are dual aspect, a distinguishing mark which was very uncommon in older people’s housing at the time.

 

These are the features those behind the drawing board value and talk about enthusiastically - but what do the residents love?

 

When asked ‘What do you like most about the building’, all residents interviewed recognised the secure, yet accessible layout as their favourite design feature. While they also praised the brightness of their apartments and the ample storage space available, those working at Halton Court were most appreciative of clustered layout which simplifies their tasks associated with building management.

 

From my perspective, there is really good flow and layout … it's quite an easy building to manage. Sometimes when a building is architecturally beautiful, does not translate into being operationally functional” says Charlotte Rooke, Head of Independent Living at Southern Housing

 

Team Manager, Bernie Ahern also appreciates the ambience and functionality of space:

 

“It feels quite grand and we've got a mezzanine. Often, I hate mezzanines because they're dead space and not great for people with hearing impairments as the sound bounces around. But the way they've done it here, it absorbs the sound in and doesn't feel like a waste of space. It backs onto the podium garden and I think that helps as well. You can spread out people and they can sit either in the garden or inside… so and it is a well-used space” 

 

Things don’t always go to plan… If the plan doesn’t work change the plan, not the goal! 

 

And the brief said ‘let there be a restaurant’…. and on day one there was a restaurant.

Fourteen years on, the commercial establishment originally planned was closed due to its increased operational costs. Nevertheless, this prominent and flexible space was successfully reinvented under the management of a local charity as a café, soft play area and a smaller, more casual restaurant. Albeit the white table cloths, dim lights, ambient music and waiters carrying chilled bottles of prosecco on silver trays are no longer part of the picture, the aim to provide a space where residents can enjoy good meals whilst sitting and socialising with their neighbours and visitors remained unchanged.  

 

“…when we were running it as a commercial unit, we found it very hard to get anybody that could make the business pay … we've given it to a charity that do community events as well and they've opened a children's space, a cafe and a smaller restaurant. They use the space for community events as well.” - Bernie Ahern, Team Manager at Southern Housing

 

Do the best you can until you know better… then when you know better, do better - Maya Angelou

 

When prompted on what aspects of Halton Court could be improved, both the residents and the staff agreed that parking was top of their list.

 

Sue White, a resident at Halton Court for nearly 10 years, commented that more visitor parking would be beneficial, nevertheless, she recognised that:

“Trains are easy to get, busses are easy to get…there are lots of busses that take you everywhere: Greenwich, London, Woolwich…there is nowhere you can’t actually go” 

 

Charlotte Rooke, Head of Independent Living at Southern Housing, added:

 

“Everyone says people moving into an older person's building don't need a car. But that's not what our residents feel like. Our residents shouldn't have to come to our scheme and give up their travel if they don't want to. And I think that that's becoming more and more prominent because our residents are becoming younger … we got a lot more working age people that are 50 to 60 … we just need to be mindful of that when we're designing in the future.” 

 

Inspiring Continent Providing Inspiring Content

 

Turns out the annual study trips abroad organised by PRP for all staff, extend well beyond just seeing beautiful buildings and socialising! Best practices from across Europe on housing an ageing population in comfort have made their way into our minds and designs.

 

Ideas borrowed from the most inspiring buildings on the Continent are evident in the scheme’s dramatic foyer - this double height space has a hotel-like concierge’s desk with an attractive meeting area styled as combined library and café. The entrance lobby envelops the village hall which is open for events such as after school clubs, dance classes, coffee mornings, bingo nights and parties. The arrangement acts beautifully as an interface between the residents and the local neighbourhood, with the first-floor access deck providing additional landscaped facilities for passers-by. The whole building is the village hub, allowing residents a securely managed space where they can mingle and enjoy time with the wider community.