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Community home in running for prestigious award

A BESPOKE homes scheme that is transforming the lives of its residents has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Niven Architects have been recognised in the community benefit category of the regional Royal Chartered Institute of Surveyors Awards, which is due to be judged in Newcastle in April.

The scheme, for residents with learning difficulties, has already been hailed a model of design for people with complex needs.

Experts at Nivens worked closely with residents and staff of the Camphill Village Trust listening carefully to their wants, hopes and needs for Daffodil House, part of the Larchfield Community at Hemlington.

Residents had high praise yesterday for their new home, which they helped design, decorate and furnish, stating the RICS recognition is well deserved.

Jeremy Winkler was the first resident to receive the keys to a new flat in the development. He said: “I work in the gardens and requested a shower rather than a bath, which is better for my needs. I have also got a very useful garden shed for all my tools.”

Peter and Jean Head moved to Daffodil House from a bedsit. Peter said: “We used to live in one room and now we have our own bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen. It is really homely.”

Jean added: “I love the garden and we grow daffodils. It is great that it has been shortlisted for an award as it deserves it.”

Kenny Sharman said: “I was asked what colour I would like it painting and I chose green which is very calming.”

Sophisticated technology called Building Information Management allowed the trust staff, residents and their families to visualise and adapt the scheme, opened last year by former Team GB paralympian Dame Tanni Grey Thompson.

The initiative, to provide eight individual apartments for residents with learning difficulties, was designed by the regional practice, which is based in Darlington, to fit in with the facility’s Steiner principles of holistic education and development.

Larchfield & Croft Communities general manager Mike English said: “Residents’ needs vary dramatically. Daffodil house is proving to be phenomenal as it allows people to live successfully in a community.

“Being shortlisted for the RICS award is no surprise as it is proving the perfect home for our residents who love it here.”

Niven Architects director Simon Crowe said he was delighted to be shortlisted for the regional accolade.

He said: “If we are successful then credit must also go to the residents, their families, the local authority and the village trust as they helped us capture a unique ambiance that is sensitive to the environment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah French .