Rose Lodge (formerly The Mulberry Residential Home) is a well-established care home for elderly people with dementia. It is currently registered for 33 residents in two communities and the applicant has recently put considerable investment into improving both the facilities on offer and the approach to care within the home to further cater for residents with early to advanced levels of dementia.

The care home has a CQC Outstanding Rating, a Gold Award for Dementia Design from Sterling University and were voted in the top 20 dementia care homes in the UK in 2018. Rose Lodge holds a unique position as a leading dementia care home in Devon.

Our client appointed TFQ with the need to extend their existing accommodation and make amendments to the external works, including rearrangement of the car park and a new surface, to increase the existing capacity from 8 to 12 spaces, as well as including new storage facilities for waste.

Visually, the extension was designed to resonate with the form and massing of the existing facilities which was Victorian in design, however the materials used are clean, and sharp, with Rockpanel wood effect cladding. The roof was proposed to be slate to in keep with the existing building and ensured longevity and quality.

New patio and paving areas was incorporated to give more independence to residence and take away the possible feeling of confinement within the care home. 

Alterations were also made to the Training Room, giving staff a vital space to provide quiet meetings and training sessions. 

Small alterations to the First Floor level allowed for an additional 3nr bedrooms with toilet and basin facilities. Also included in the scope of works was the upgrading of The Lodge, a space for people with mid to late stage dementia, making it more functional and flexible. 

The project was not without challenges, as the original scheme involved the removal of a Mulberry tree, a decision which was seems inappropriate with the local planning authority, however the design was quickly amended to allow for the tree to be retained, whilst keeping the same alterations, giving the home the facilities it needs to continue to provide world class care for people suffering from varying stages of dementia.