The 2022 Pinders Healthcare Design Awards saw Bruce Lodge, designed by Dash Architecture, win in the Best Regeneration Project category.

Bruce Lodge is a 66-bed residential dementia care home in Offerton, owned and operated by Borough Care. The facility is built to help those living with dementia enjoy the best possible quality of life, with an existing 1950s-style café, florist, post office, and telephone box.

In addition to designing an extension which compensates for impairments associated with growing older, Dash Architecture re-modelled the existing facilities to help increase independence, reinforce personal identity, and improve the self-esteem of residents.

The design addresses many dis-functional issues with the existing building, including the re-location of the main entrance and car park, as well as renovating the commercial kitchen and in turn helping to create a welcoming Reception space for residents’ families.

The Pinders Healthcare Design Awards launched in 1991 and have since helped to shape improvements in the long-term care and independent care sectors. Recognised as one of the most prestigious design awards in the sector, the win at Pinders demonstrates Dash’s exceptional work with on Bruce Lodge. 

Alongside the stunning exterior, the judging panel recognised the innovative internal re-modelling work created by an open plan ‘household’ model. This facilitates the specific needs and requirements of resident’s living with dementia, while ensuring that the building meets the stringent fire safety regulations required of care home facilities by adopting an innovative fire engineered life protection solution using a mist suppression system. 

Nigel Crompton, Principal Architect at Dash Architecture, said, “We were delighted to have worked on the Bruce Lodge Dementia Care and to make a real difference to peoples’ lives. To win the Pinders Healthcare Design Award for Best Regeneration Project – and for such a worthwhile project – is an amazing achievement.” 

For almost 30 years Borough Care has provided the safety and sanctuary of a warm and welcoming home to residents, and is a champion of older generations, respecting the meaningful contribution they continue to make in society. Borough Care runs 11 care homes throughout Stockport and Staffordshire, with a 12th soon to open in Stone. 

CEO of Borough Care, Dr Mark Ward, said, “We are thrilled to have been awarded the Best Regeneration Award at the Pinders Healthcare Awards this year. It is fantastic recognition for the work that Dash Architecture have completed on Bruce Lodge, which is a care home that doesn’t look like a care home. As a not-for-profit organisation, we reinvest any surplus money into the services we offer. This is a perfect example of how we do that. We have thoroughly enjoyed this partnership with Dash and congratulate them on this brilliant achievement that will improve the lives of our residents living with dementia in many ways."