MSV Housing, Cheshire

Calming and practical spaces created for neurodiverse residents

Issue

A unique housing concept was created on the Foxcote housing development in Heald Green by Bloor Homes and Stockport MBC in partnership with MSV Housing Association and Lifeways care provider. The house was to provide fully adapted, independent living accommodation for young people with autism, learning difficulties and mental health issues.

Built on land sold by the Seashell Trust, the house was designed as a single supported dwelling, providing living spaces for three young adults with neurodiverse needs.

The home needed to convey a biophilic feeling of space and light, with muted tones and earthy colours.

Approach

MSV Housing Association, Sara Darwin of Phi Architects and the parent of one of the young adults worked hand-in-hand to create a specification for the build that considered all requirements. This included a connected, welcoming, shared living, dining and kitchen space that could be separated as and when needed, individual homely bedrooms, a calm and soothing sensory room, safe and hygienic bathrooms and kitchen area – all of which were anti-pick, reduced transference of noise and provided ease of cleaning.

Solution

In the dining and kitchen area, Altro Wood Comfort in colour Aged Oak was specified bringing a biophilic feel into the open areas. The bathrooms were furnished with Altro Whiterock Satins in colour Linen, Altro Whiterock Digiclad (Custom) walls with an underwater theme, and Altro Pisces safety floor in colour Cuttlefish. Altro Pisces was also specified for the individual toilet. Altro Wood Comfort provided comfort and sound reduction throughout the house in the bedrooms, sensory room, and hallways.

Altro Whiterock is the hygienic alternative to tiles that’s impact resistant, grout-free and easy to clean.

Altro Whiterock Digiclad (Custom) walls give you the ‘wow’ factor in the simplest way. Great for areas where looks count, for feature walls, entire spaces, and to aid with wayfinding, Altro custom walls are ideal for a huge variety of public spaces.

Altro Pisces provides superb performance whether wet or dry, in shoes or barefoot in wet environments where the likelihood of a slip is very high.

Altro Wood Comfort offers aesthetics combined with comfort and safety. It’s an ideal choice for areas that need to look good while helping to give comfort underfoot.