A retirement complex in Hampstead explores community, form and materiality

The Oren in Hampstead is a senior living apartment project consisting of 46 units that was created by the architectural firm Stanton Williams. It looks like four interconnected pavilions, which are in harmony with the lush landscapes of Hampstead Heath. With the design, the intention was to provide an area where older residents can have their privacy but still be part of the community, along with the shared amenities.

Spatial and Architectural Logic

The four volumes are strategically placed in a way that they become part of the garden context instead of overshadowing it. The contour of the buildings helps in framing the views and gives the feeling of being raised from the ground. The apartments are further from each other but close to the common areas, thus, allowing the residents to enjoy both isolation and interaction with the community.

Program and Use

Component	Function	Role in Community
Apartments	Two and three bedroom units	Provide accessible homes for older residents
Communal Amenities	Lounge, dining, wellness, cinema	Support social connection and well being
Landscaped Gardens	Shared outdoor space	Connect the building with nature and provide gathering areas

Materiality and Construction

The façades are composed of soft and smooth handmade bricks along with precast concrete parts that are worked together. Bright and highlighted bronze metal is used for the finishing of windows and the balcony details to give them a warm and texture-rich appearance. Such a mixing of building materials signifies the importance given to craftsmanship and architectural expression rather than simply decorating.

Contextual Significance

The project is situated right next to Hampstead Heath and at the same time, the complex is considerate to the natural landscape and the urban architecture around it. It is the form, scale, and materials of the complex that are all environmentally friendly. Lounges, wellness areas, and gardens as shared spaces highlight the role of architecture in building community. The project gives rise to urban architectural discussions in the case of suburbs and semi-urban areas.

Architectural Insights

The Oren is an example of a project that can show how residential typologies can cater to the demographic changes. The layout of the pavilions produces closeness but at the same time does not lose the quality of the overall scale of the complex. The supporting structures signify the presence but do not take over. The concept makes one think about vertical stratification and the social function it brings, thus being in line with the current architects taking up the housing typologies research of the type that provides both the autonomy and belonging.

Lessons for Designers

The later living housing can put in the foreground the dignity and autonomy of residents without being reminiscent of institutions
Dividing the volume into various parts in different ways will allow buildings to interact better with the landscape and the earth’s surface
A choice of materials made on the basis of craftsmanship will not only give durability but also make the building more human scale
A well thought out integration of communal and private areas will result in stronger community interaction
The quality of architecture can be aesthetic only if the architect has paid attention to the hierarchy of spaces and the proportions used

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Oren located in Hampstead is an example of later-living architecture that manages to achieve such a refined balance between community and privacy. The pavilion arrangement shows deep consideration to the surrounding gardens, and at the same time, the faceted forms and shared circulation areas provide opportunities for both socialization and personal time. The selection of materials, ranging from soft handmade brick to warm bronzed accents, gives a warm and a clear visual effect. Even though the design is very social, the question about the adaptability of common spaces for old people in the future is still open. To sum it up, the project has opened up a whole new kin of kinds with regards to the types of residential areas for the nowadays aged population and it has indicated that spatial logic and materiality can very well support the daily activities while being sensitive to the environment.

Conclusion

The Oren that was designed by Stanton Williams is a very sophisticated example of housing for older people. The pavilion layout, the choice of premium building materials, and the landscape around the building all contribute to the making of modern-day architecture for older people. The project is a compass showing how innovative thinking about types of buildings and being aware of the surroundings can lead to the birth of residential architecture that is socially, spatially, and materially coherent. For more examples and references, please check out the projects in the ArchUp archive.

The photography is by Jack Hobhouse.

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