ISG Wins £6.7 Million Hertfordshire Care Home

Constructed on a brownfield site, formerly occupied by Lannock School, the part three-storey residential facility replaces two existing homes in the Quantum Care portfolio, providing modern and thoughtfully designed accommodation for residents with a broad range of care requirements. Typical of all Quantum Care developments, the new home is specially designed to enable older people to retain their independence, within a framework of support for individual requirements.

Each of the 75 rooms features en-suite shower facilities and communal areas have been carefully designed to provide choice for residents to socialise or find a quiet space for personal reflection. ISG will create a communal plaza area, which includes a Best Friends Café, hairdressing salon and mini shopping area, which are open to residents, family and friends.

The accommodation is fully accessible for residents with physical disabilities and the design, decoration and layout of the home has been specifically developed to support the requirements of residents with dementia. The care home incorporates an advanced wireless nurse alert system that operates via pagers and DECT telephones, avoiding the need for buzzers that can disturb other residents.

Designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding built environment, the new Letchworth facility will be traditionally constructed with brick and block work and a range of architectural finishes to its façade, including rainscreen cladding, render and brickwork. ISG will create a roof terrace area and also install photo voltaic panels at roof level to generate emission free electricity, with the scheme targeting a BREEAM Excellent environmental performance rating. 

The external works form an essential element of the project, with ISG carrying out extensive hard and soft landscaping, creating a courtyard with seating, wooded walkway, pond feature and wild flower planting areas to encourage residents to relax outdoors and spend time with visitors.

Alan McCarthy-Wyper, managing director of ISG’s Construction business, commented: “Our experience working closely with Quantum Care highlights the real dedication and commitment the organisation has to raising the standards of residential care for older people and residents with complex health needs. There is real innovation and focus on details that really matter for residents in the development of these new care homes, and our award winning expertise in this niche sector has proved an invaluable asset to Quantum Care.”