Archicraft was engaged to explore a new link building between two sheltered housing blocks. The existing blocks are separated physically by a light-weight covered walk-way and the communities they house operate largely independently, maintaining their own lounge areas. This scheme consolidates both lounges together into a larger more useful area, freeing up one of the original lounges for additional let-able accommodation, whilst linking the two buildings and bridging the difference in levels more appropriately.

The notion is to see the new lounge area as a collection of smaller lounges, surrounding a bigger more flexible activity space. This has given rise to a varied plan layout magnified with various ceiling heights and window sizes. The proposed site is on part of the existing more private rear gardens. The design is formed to articulate the garden area, retaining existing views from apartments at various levels and while gently encroaching onto the garden, capturing intimate useful external areas to be enjoyed by residents in relative seclusion.