Prior to the £1.8million refurbishment work for Isos, the 19th century landmark building provided 22 units of self contained accommodation for the most vulnerable members of society and incorporated a Registered Care Home. The Care Home was no longer fit for purpose and the existing flats were all very small and dark, with shared facilities not fit for 21st century living standards.

The comprehensive refurbishment has been centred around the creation of an atrium which provides communal space for gathering and an internal ‘street’ with a roof light that brings day light and sunlight into the heart of the building. Light from this central atrium is brought into the individual apartments through obscured glazing to bathrooms and windows to kitchens, adding to the sense of street and community that the internal atrium and circulation provide. Automatically opening vents provide natural ventilation and a new lift links all floors of the building, thus helping to avoid residents being isolated in their apartments, particularly if they struggle to use the stairs.

The redesigned spaces offer an inspirational environment that caters for the diverse needs of residents returning to the property, whilst simultaneously offering desirable and attractive accommodation to new customers.

The original vision statement was: ‘Transforming the building transforms people’s lives’, and the finished building successfully promotes independence and integration between residents, carefully blending the old with the new within tight budgetary constraints.