Ground floor accommodation includes a stunning reception area, fabulous open-plan kitchen/dining/living space with huge sliding glazed panels that open onto level decking and lawns, a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom giving direct access to the pool and outdoor shower, three further bedrooms (two of which are currently used as studies) and a guest loo. Carefully positioned rooflights, glazed partitions and large sliding glazed doors flood the area with natural light by day, and easy to use scene and up-lighting can be used in different combinations to create different effects by night.  Lutron lighting in the kitchen/dining/sitting area controls a range of of spotlights, floor lights and cleverly concealed uplighting to adjust light levels for different activities – entertaining guests, watching TV, reading quietly, romantic nights-in…

An oak, stainless steel and glazed staircase leads down to the lower ground floor which opens onto terraced decks, the pool and an outdoor living/kitchen area for summer entertaining. The lower ground floor offers a large entertaining/reception area, music/games room, three further bedrooms (one of which is used as a sitting room, one as a gym), family bathroom, utility room and guest loo.

It features:

• a solar heating system (6 large solar panels) which provides up to 40% of hot water which it automatically distributes, in priority order, to taps, under-floor heating and swimming pool

• 9000L rainwater harvesting tank which automatically delivers rainwater to top up pool, to vegetable garden for watering and to drive for car washing

• highly insulated external walls and roofs

• double glazed large sliding doors and windows

• thermostats in every room to control heating

• low energy lighting in many locations

Examples include:

• maintenance-free external larch cladding and decking, and granite paving

• main house roofs finished in maintenance free zinc coated aluminium sheet with zinc gutters and downpipes

• sedum (grass) roofs to workshop, carport, pool house and outdoor kitchen

• all windows fully reversible for cleaning inside

• all roof lights electrically operated

• high suction central vacuum system

• easy clean ‘bullet proof’ porcelain floor tiles

Main features include:

• Panasonic telephone system configured for business and personal needs, including intercom and doorphone

• under-floor heating under wide engineered oak floor boards

• Lutron mood lighting controls to Kitchen and Living Room

• fitted wardrobes in Master and Guest bedrooms with built in lighting

• speakers built into wall in Kitchen, Master Bedroom and Bathroom

• data and TV cabling to almost every room with satellite dish in garden

• virtually unlimited hot water from a thermal store

• all water supplies pressurised – power showers throughout

• programmable electric heater/towel rails in all bathrooms

• excellent soundproofing – eg all floors concrete

• multi-point locking for security and with restrictor stays for child safety

• alarm system

• all external doors can be ‘fixed open’

• water softener

• modern sewage treatment plant (not mains)

• below ground LPG tank feeding gas boiler and gas hob

“Richard honed his blues guitar licks in NYC before returning home to Britain and working as session man and band leader for JSP records in the ’80′s..Larry Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Carey Bell, Big Jay McNeely and Eric Bibb are among those who have utilised his talents-and though he has never stopped playing, these days he adopts a lower profile. Thats a real shame too, as he is always worth a listen, and this new CD is no exception. He can sing-no doubt about that, lend an ear to, for just one example, the soul-drenched “Love Is Amazing” (one of two songs here from the under-rated Roy Lee Johnson: yes, Richard also has impeccable taste). The romping opener proves that he can write too, and a cover of The Rolling Stones’ instrumental, “2120 South Michigan Avenue” shows his roots and the aim of this album:to reflect life (and music) as it was between the late 50′s and early 70′s. He succeeds in that admirably-as well as making music that is both first-rate and thoroughly enjoyable. Norman Darwen, Blues in Britain magazine (July 2012)

“Thank you so much for Saturday evening, we really enjoyed ourselves. Sue, you have a lovely voice and we enjoyed your choice of songs. The band was fabulous, a great mix, very professional and such a perfect venue. The house looked so lovely with all the candles, flowers etc. It must have been a lot of work for you to set it all up, but hopefully you felt it was worthwhile. Do keep us informed of any future events.” Kate and Tim

“I just wanted to congratulate you both on a splendid evening on Saturday. I really enjoyed the first half – I had no idea, Sue, that you could sing like that. In the second half, I don’t think I have ever heard Richard perform so well. And what a marvellous band he got together. The precision of their ensemble playing was a lesson to us all.” Michael

“Sue, Tim and Daniel: Thank you for a fantastic event on Saturday – Freddie and I really enjoyed it. Let me know next time Level Best are performing and I’ll rustle up up some friends to support your excellent band. Freddie will always assist with the roadie tasks…..” Mick

“Just wanted to say thanks for a great evening. What a great idea, and what a lovely house to perform in.” Josh Phillips

Designing For Dementia

Planning consent has been gained for up to an additional 27 single bedrooms, 150m2 of new communal space and improved landscaping. Specifically designed for residents suffering from dementia, each bedroom will exceed the minimum standards suggested by the National Care Standards Commission. Nearly all the new rooms will have en-suite toilets and showers, and many will also have direct access to the courtyard areas. The scheme includes a new reception and cafe area with views of, and access to, the central courtyard.

The new communal space will include two lounges with a mix of small and large spaces which can be used for socialising or relaxing quietly. Large double doors with level thresholds, a hallmark of jhd Architects’ contemporary design approach, will give direct access to two enclosed courtyards which, sheltered from the wind and shaded from the sun, will be easy for staff to supervise and safe for residents to use independently. Raised planters will enable light gardening without bending down, and enclosed seating areas will encourage residents to go outside and socialise with each other, and with staff and visitors. The design also takes advantage of views of the surrounding countryside.

It is hoped the scheme will create up to 10 new jobs for local people looking for full time, part time and shift working jobs. The home also helps to build local skills through it’s excellent training policies, standards and opportunities.

Practical And Creative Design

Owner Stephen Gilmour says: “Enhancing residents’ well-being and quality of life is at the centre of the Hartley House extension project. jhd Architects have responded to our brief with a design that is both practical and creative. Now that work has started on site, our top priority is to minimise disruption by carefully managing health and safety issues in conjunction with the needs and daily routines of residents, visitors and staff and the contractor’s programme of work.”

Says Kent architect Tim Ball: “We are proud to be working on Hartley House, which is an important and integral part of the local community, particularly as we know our design will tangibly improve people’s lives. Key to success, for all the architectural projects in our portfolio, is attention to the detail of finishes and fittings to ensure that all those using the building not only enjoy it, but can do so safely.”

The firm designed the award-winning NHS Walk In Centre at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, London, and many South London doctors’ surgeries which have been praised for stylishly meeting the practical needs of all those who use them – in particular the disabled.

Modern Sustainable Care Home Design

Upgrading the heating systems, improving insulation and choosing low maintenance materials means that the scheme will also reduce energy costs which are typically high in care homes because of the high room temperatures required and large amounts of laundry generated. Indeed, considerable attention has been given to reducing energy costs and creating a building that exceeds the sustainability standards required to comply with Building Regulations. For example:

• The south roof face of the two storey extension includes an array of solar photo-voltaic panels. These generate electricity directly from sunlight and daylight nearly all year round and will help to reduce the electricity demand for the whole site
• The superstructure of the new buildings will be constructed using FSC certified timber framing. Timber is recognised as being an environmentally friendly form of construction and the FSC requirement ensures that the timber used is from sustainably managed forests
• The use of timber framing also enables us to design the external walls and roofs to be very well insulated. This directly reduces the energy needed for space heating
• All the external materials are chosen to be low maintenance. This reduces long term materials use which is again environmentally beneficial
• Control of ventilation is also a critical feature of care home design. The building will be very well sealed for air-tightness during construction so that ventilation occurs only where and when it should. This again reduces unnecessary heat loss. To provide for good ventilation within the home, there will be a central mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system (MVHR). This takes stale air from bathrooms and other rooms needing extract ventilation and recovers over 90% of the heat for re-use to heat incoming fresh air to bedrooms and communal areas. This benefits residents and staff by providing excellent ventilation without the draughts associated with opening windows in cold weather
• Water consumption will be reduced through the use of low water use toilets and water efficient tap and shower fittings
• Rainwater will be harvested to provide water for external use to water the landscaping and for general external maintenance

Hartley House Offers High Quality Care

Hartley House Care Home has been offering services in Cranbrook, Kent, for over 30 years. Registered for 44 residents, it was purpose-built for Kent County Council in the early eighties and was operated by them until it was sold to Kent Community Housing Trust (later renamed Avante) in 2001. It has had no significant alterations since then. Its current owners, Stephen and Julia Gilmour, are both actively involved in running it. They also they own Mayfield Care Home in Sale, Cheshire and Staley House Care Home in Stalybridge. jhd Architects’ extension will provide much-needed, high quality residential care home accommodation for the elderly and people suffering with dementia. Individuals interested in finding out more about the availability of rooms at Hartley House can call + 44 (0)1580 713139 or make contact via the website http://www.hartleyhouse.co.uk/

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