SCALA Civic Building of the Year Competition, 2008

Commended

Birmingham City Council
The Kenrick Centre

This new 4,700m2 centre, designed and managed by Urban design and built through the Birmingham Construction Partnership, provides a new concept in specialist care and residential facilities for the elderly.

The two-storey accommodation includes 64 ensuite bedrooms in eight bedroom clusters. Thirty-two are for long-term dementia care and 32 for intermediate and respite care for those who can ultimately return to their own homes. There are also associated dining and lounge areas. Day facilities are also provided for the wider, older community, including full restaurant, café, hairdresser, activity rooms, prayer room, full production kitchen, multimedia centre, interactive technology store, gym, physiotherapy, consultancy rooms and chiropody facilities.

The brief was to provide best value, delivering a landmark building representing excellence in contemporary architecture and construction technology, which address the sustainability and energy agenda at a high level whilst retaining a traditional feel reflecting the expectations of service users. An elevated landscaped setting with a parkland backdrop complements the innovative and exciting use of traditional construction materials, reflected in the extensive use of natural stone, brick and slate in shades that blend with the seasonally changing local colour scheme.

Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager:

Urban Design

Consultant Architect:

Glancy Nicholls

Structural Engineer:

Scott Wilson

Mechanical and Electrical Engineer:

Scott Wilson

Main Contractor:

Wates Construction

Landscape Architect:

BCC Landscape Practice Group