Stirling care home goes it alone following planning rebuttal
October 20 2020
Northcare and Unum Partnership have come forward with proposals to erect a 71-bed care home at Lower Bridge Street, Stirling, jettisoning a larger masterplan in the process.
A 'visually incongruous' masterplan for the area was turned down by Stirling Council in August after concerns were raised over the detrimental impact of student housing on the area and a lack of off-street parking.
Now the applicant will solely progress the care home element of that broader scheme, delivering a cranked T-plan design that maximises utility of the triangular junction.
Explaining their design rationale Unum wrote: "This simple form is articulated with a series of smaller protruding boxes. These reduce the perceived mass of the building and provide articulation at important junctures to ground the building within its context. They also articulate prominent gables and form important vistas looking into the site from adjacent streets.
"A protruding box at the main entrance helps to highlight this and protect it from the elements."
Offering residents a high standard of living the home will include a cocktail bar and external terrace as well as a cinema and cafe. A north-south pedestrian route will also be established.
The 0.75 acre site is currently occupied by public gardens
The sensitive site sits beneath the castle and borders a conservation area
|
9 Comments
I don't see what the issue is with a 4-storey care home. Are you insinuating that this means more stairs to climb for residents, staff and visitors, as opposed to say a 2 storey build?
I don't get the Homer Simpson reference. I don't think it's a very thought through site response, however I don't get your reference.
Can we agree to stop this whispering nonsense? With all the negative comments coming from you, can you give us a link to where we can see your architectural work so that we can have a wee discussion whether it is good or not?
Moreover, it makes the residents journey to external spaces far more cumbersome!
The Homer Simpson car reference comes from the unnecessary complexity of elevations. It has far too much going on. For Unam to suggest it is simple is using words to try and disguise what is actually going on. Much like Nicola Sturgeon telling us all she's doing a great job, despite the factual performance of the last 13 years.
You are incorrect in your operational efficiency statement. Are you suggesting that one staff base for 2 units of 12 bedrooms is inefficient?
Do you not consider the terraces to be external spaces?
Once again I fail to see the relevance of your reference to Nicola Sturgeon with regards to this discussion as much as your Homer Simpson one.
All the best Whispering Andy.
As an aside, you will have noticed that the majority of my comments are in support of good architecture. There is the odd poorly thought out design, such as this, where I will fairly critique. Its what this website is all about.
Thanks for your concern.
Sorry to hear of your affliction. It does rather take the edge of the content of your comments which from what i've seen always seem to interesting and well thought
Looks a big beast although more luxurious than your typical Premier Inn the operation of the care home has to be like clockwork. Staff training essential but the internal layout will prove whether it works over 4 storeys or not. Can we isolate sections off from one another in case of more Covid, winter vomiting virus etc..
Oh and where do the fire tenders park?
Post your comments
Back to October 2020
Like us on Facebook
Become a fan and share
The frontage of the building is far from a 'simple form' - it looks more like the car Homer Simpson designed.
Poor effort all round.