Dee Park

Dee Park in Reading, is a regeneration project that we have been involved with since 2007, working on a number of different project elements to help deliver a refreshed sustainable community for residents.

We produced a series of submissions in response to the original tender opportunity over a number of years, and once the project was secured, our clients Catalyst and Willmott Dixon Homes retained our services to help with consultation elements.

The first few phases of development are now on site, in particular a new build extra care building at the heart of the regeneration. We were initially asked to propose a scope of work for an integrated wayfinding system comprised of signage elements from street entrance, through to lift directories, stair cores and front doors.

We proposed a series of super graphics to stair cores on each floor, and a series of wayfinding wallpaper solutions throughout communal areas. The design was well received and we were further asked to look at designs to be used across a series of glass balcony screens, helping provide privacy and shelter as well as adding interest to the building elevation.

We were then asked to produce a full solution for the interior design to all shared communal and circulation spaces within the building, including numerous shared lounge spaces, a double height space entrance atrium, offices, staff areas, dining room and corridors. We based our concept around rich, dark colours and materials including a dark wood to floors and a brightly coloured rubber finish to stair core floors to correspond with the supergraphics on walls.

All wayfinding and interior elements had to comply with visibility guidelines and standards and consider the needs of visiting guests as well as the residents using the building on a daily basis. We met with some local people who were set to move in and they were delighted with the building design and finish. Handovers commence in January 2012.