Designing for dignity: A pause for thought on why ‘living well’ must lead our housing future

We do not create community – we create the conditions in which community can grow.

As the needs of our ageing population evolve, so must the environments we design. Across our work in extra care housing, supported living, respite care and later life neighbourhoods, we focus on shaping places that feel dignified, intuitive, and deeply connected to nature.

This approach aligns closely with the values championed by the Housing LIN, whose thought leadership continues to influence high-quality housing and care environments across the UK.

One of our most recently completed projects, Emily Lodge Respite Care Centre in Woking, illustrates how human-centred design can strengthen not only individual wellbeing, but the resilience of whole communities.

Project spotlight Emily Lodge, Woking

Designed and delivered for Surrey County Council, Emily Lodge is a modest building with a significant impact. Respite care is a lifeline for families, giving informal carers the chance to rest, restore energy and prevent crisis. Emily Lodge provides that support in an environment that feels calm, domestic, and genuinely reassuring, a sanctuary for residents and families alike.

Each of the eight ensuite bedrooms overlooks woodland, offering natural views that help residents settle quickly and comfortably into an unfamiliar setting. Shared living areas are warm, legible, and intuitive, encouraging gentle social interaction while allowing residents to retain choice and autonomy. Clear sightlines and naturally lit circulation support independence, orientation, and everyday ease.

At the heart of the building is its defining feature, a secure internal courtyard. More than an outdoor amenity, it acts as an organising principle:

• strengthening wayfinding
• drawing daylight deep into the interior
• creating a focal point that quietly nurtures community.

Therapeutic landscapes are created throughout the build. The sensory room supports both calming retreat and gentle stimulation, while the landscaped sensory gardens encourage movement, reflection, and shared moments. Because these spaces are so intuitive and directly accessible, nature becomes a natural part of daily routine.

Emily Lodge shows how thoughtfully designed respite environments can extend their influence far beyond their walls – supporting carers, uplifting residents, and reinforcing the community networks that so many families depend upon.

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AtkinsReális are proud to sponsor the Housing LIN and be a headline sponsor of the recent Housing LIN Conference 2026 in Newcastle and Bristol