St Canices Sheltered Housing, Eglinton, County Derry

The brief was to provide 19 flats for one and two persons with an adjoining wardens house and 11 bungalows. The completed two storey flats and wardens house form phase 1 of the scheme and it is eventually hoped that phase 2 may proceed in the next couple of years.

The scheme was arranged in a relaxed courtyard fashion in order to promote a community environment with all access of the central court. Low maintenance materials were requested by the client, however, a warm rustic brick was chosen which would be sympathetic to the character of the village, the raised gable detail borrowed from the adjacent church. The use of stained timber windows and doors to the common room and the main entrance adds a touch of domestic warmth. Internally the flats are accessed off a double banked corridor which is staggered at the stairways to introduce variety and natural light. A passenger lift located off the foyer gives disabled access to the first floor. The quiet room, common room and hairdressing room all look into the courtyard.