DHA Architects worked closely with The Sisters to develop a proposal for a new-build assisted living apartment block on this green belt land to complement the existing care provision on site.

The practice engaged led a large team of consultants in detailed discussions with the Local Authority to identify the most suitable area for development in order to understand and mitigate the visual impact upon the green belt.

Comprehensive 3D building modelling techniques were utilised in support of the application.

Working in association with the University of Sterling's Dementia Services Development Centre, DHA Architects designed the individual apartments and layout of the new building to accord with best practice dementia design principles, namely:

- Maximisation of natural daylight

- Incorporation of wayfinding throughout the building, including direct visibility from bed locations to en-suite doors

- Visibility and permeability to aid in memory and social connections between residents whilst maintining sufficient privacy

- Domestic scale and character is maintained through the breaking up of the building into individual apartment facades with carefully modelled external spaces and gardens