Winner of the prestigious RIBA MacEwen Award 2025, Severn View Park care home in Portskewett, Monmouthshire, aims to redefine dementia care. The home is designed to provide 24 long-term residential care bedrooms for individuals with dementia and 8 short-term rooms for respite and rehabilitation care. Developed by Monmouthshire County Council, the project was completed by Lovell in Spring of 2024. Acknowledging its quality, the home has also been nominated for Care Home Design of the Year in the Leaders in Care Awards 2024.
Monmouthshire County Council decided to replace its outdated Severn View facility with a new contemporary care home and a bold vision for care of those living with dementia. The design promotes freedom of movement, engagement with nature, social stimulation and the redefining of traditional staff roles. The facility is divided into four distinct households, each providing a domestic, non-institutional atmosphere where residents, staff, and visitors actively contribute to daily activities without barriers.
The architectural design is central to the care approach, with single-storey accommodations, direct access to sensory gardens, and a ‘village hall’ for communal and community use. The courtyard garden is fundamental to the home. Access is easy and unobstructed, and the garden provides a wealth of experiences including sensory exploration, planting and gardening, communal activity, all focused on connection and engagement. The household and the garden work together to provide a sense of familiarity and strong emotional resonance, helping residents maintain independence.
The project reflects a shift towards wellbeing through freedom, focusing on residents’ quality of life through spatial design. Bedrooms exceed minimum size requirements, feature large L-shaped windows for unobstructed outdoor views, and include cozy visitor seating. Regular workshops with care staff contributed to the design, addressing the significant challenges of transforming traditional care models. The care home creates a balance between independence and safety, enhancing residents’ physical and emotional well-being, while also positively impacting staff practices.
Winner of the prestigious RIBA MacEwen Award 2025, Severn View Park care home in Portskewett, Monmouthshire, aims to redefine dementia care. The home is designed to provide 24 long-term residential care bedrooms for individuals with dementia and 8 short-term rooms for respite and rehabilitation care. Developed by Monmouthshire County Council, the project was completed by Lovell in Spring of 2024. Acknowledging its quality, the home has also been nominated for Care Home Design of the Year in the Leaders in Care Awards 2024.
Monmouthshire County Council decided to replace its outdated Severn View facility with a new contemporary care home and a bold vision for care of those living with dementia. The design promotes freedom of movement, engagement with nature, social stimulation and the redefining of traditional staff roles. The facility is divided into four distinct households, each providing a domestic, non-institutional atmosphere where residents, staff, and visitors actively contribute to daily activities without barriers.
The architectural design is central to the care approach, with single-storey accommodations, direct access to sensory gardens, and a ‘village hall’ for communal and community use. The courtyard garden is fundamental to the home. Access is easy and unobstructed, and the garden provides a wealth of experiences including sensory exploration, planting and gardening, communal activity, all focused on connection and engagement. The household and the garden work together to provide a sense of familiarity and strong emotional resonance, helping residents maintain independence.
The project reflects a shift towards wellbeing through freedom, focusing on residents’ quality of life through spatial design. Bedrooms exceed minimum size requirements, feature large L-shaped windows for unobstructed outdoor views, and include cozy visitor seating. Regular workshops with care staff contributed to the design, addressing the significant challenges of transforming traditional care models. The care home creates a balance between independence and safety, enhancing residents’ physical and emotional well-being, while also positively impacting staff practices.
