Rosehip House in Islington, north London, was commended in the Healthcare category award at ATLAS, the Secured by Design Awards that recognise excellence in designing out crime
Providing supported living for 11 adults with learning disabilities, Rosehip House comprises seven modern one-bedroom flats and a four-home pod where residents who need greater support live together with a shared kitchen and dining space.
Located in the heart of the community, the development offers not only safe and secure housing but also the opportunity for residents to live independent and fulfilling lives in their local area. The scheme was designed in partnership with Islington’s Adult Social Care team and the Learning Disability Partnership.
From its inception, Designing out Crime Officers (DOCOs) from the Metropolitan Police played a key role in the development and its success.
The first challenge was the location itself: a dilapidated former car park with disused garages that was heavily linked to crime and anti-social behaviour. The DOCOs had to ensure they created a safe, secure environment for vulnerable adults with complex needs without them becoming targets in an area known for criminal activity.
The team also faced the task of creating a set of welcoming homes that promoted a sense of well-being and calm while balancing operational requirements and incorporating stringent safeguarding measures for the residents. It was also critical that the facility was easy for residents with learning disabilities to navigate and wasn’t too
overbearing.
Working closely with the local planning officer and the design team and building contractor Rooff, secure “onion layering” was implemented throughout the scheme. In this security approach, multiple layers of protection are used, like the layers of an onion. If one layer is breached, there is another secure layer inside. The result is a system of multiple secure primary and secondary doors before the building can be entered, followed by a secure outer boundary and further controlled access to the rear and side entrances.
Throughout the design, accessibility had to be carefully balanced with robust security, for example, integrating power-assisted features such as automatic doors for disabled users while ensuring residents remained protected.
One particular challenge was finding a suitable communal aluminium door-set that could only be opened inward due to the requirements of the disabled users, without compromising on security. The solution was a PAS24 door-set incorporating power-assisted opening, dual maglocks with a fob reader and CCTV coupled with 24/7 site presence.
The result is a welcoming setting where residents can enjoy their own space along with a shared sunny rear garden, two communal lounges, assisted bathrooms, a wheelchair transfer room, laundry room, cycle storage and modern staff facilities including overnight accommodation for care workers.
The development has also had a positive impact on the wider area. To date, crime Statistics show no reported incidents, demonstrating that careful urban planning can play a vital role in preventing crime.
DOCO Steve Downing said: “I was delighted to award Rooff with SBD accreditation for Rosehip House. The site is located within an area that experiences high levels of antisocial behaviour, theft and other offences. Hence, it was essential to design-in crime prevention measures to help protect against incidents such as these.
“Introducing these new residential premises to this site has helped to activate the area from what was previously a set of isolated garage blocks with lower levels of legitimate daily activity and natural surveillance. The extent of the security and crime prevention measures applied by Rooff, and with compliance to SBD measures, not only provides it with the resilience to help to protect its residents and staff, but was successfully designed and incorporated so as not to feel complicated, overbearing or hostile in nature. Well done to all involved.”
Principal new homes development manager at Islington Council, Souad Akbur, commented: “Rosehip House is home to 11 residents with learning disabilities. The building was designed to promote independence, sensitivity and comfort in a safe environment. With its numerous but discreet security features, residents can thrive, feel safe and happy in their new homes.”
Improved security
Developers around the UK can achieve SBD awards for incorporating crime prevention measures and techniques into their development in all kinds of building sectors, such as residential, education, health, transport, commercial, retail, sport, and leisure.
Indeed, SBD can be used as evidence to discharge third-party obligations under Part Q of Schedule 1 (Security) to the English Building Regulations, the Scottish Building Standard 4.13 (Security) and Welsh Building Regulations Part Q (Security – Dwellings).
These awards are gained by working with police Designing Out Crime Officers, who advise architects, developers and local authority planners long before construction begins – and continues to provide advice and guidance until the development is complete.
Find out more about SBD Developers Awards here.
SBD Design Guides
SBD has produced a series of authoritative Design Guides to assist in building design and the construction industry to incorporate security into developments to comply with the Building Regulations in England, Scotland and Wales, and meet the requirements of SBD.
These Design Guides, available to download for free at the SBD website, have been updated over the years to keep pace with changing patterns of criminal behaviour and advances in building design and new technology.
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