The site lies within the grounds of St Brendan’s Hospital and on a rectangular lawn that slopes steeply southwards towards the road and commands an impressive view of Lough Rea. There are a small number of existing trees on the site and it is separated from Lake Road by a low stone boundary wall.
The new nursing home is E-shaped in plan and comprises three parts: to the east, a one-storey rectangular wing containing a public entrance hall, treatment suites, prayer room, dining and day rooms, and support facilities over a semi-basement containing a catering kitchen; in the centre and to the west, a pair of two-storey L-shaped wings, connected by a semi-private entrance hall containing vertical circulation, containing a total of 100 bedspaces in single and shared rooms with ensuite bathrooms, day-dining rooms, offices, staff and ancillary facilities, over semi-basements containing plant rooms and an ESB sub-station.
Each residential wing contains 25 bedspaces per floor, mainly in the form of single bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Nurses’ Stations are located at the elbow of each wing, close to a number of multi-occupancy rooms for use by residents who require more intensive care. Service rooms are clustered around these stations. Glazed day-spaces are located at either end of these wings where they can enjoy views of the gardens and lake. Lobbies are created by widening the circulation routes at each bedroom door to animate these spaces by providing opportunities for informal social interaction.
