Building Design Northern’s (BDN) Longevity Housing and Care Approach was ‘Highly Commended’ at the Sunderland Echo Business Excellence Awards 2023.

The Sunderland and Ulverston based Architects and Engineers were presented a ‘Highly Commended’ award in the ‘Innovation’ category, at the annual ceremony on Thursday 16th November 2023.

The ceremony celebrates and recognises the most ambitious, innovative and hard-working Wearside businesses and the role they play in the economic success of the North East. The ‘Innovation’ category recognises forward-thinking products, services, business models and initiatives that are creating change and making a positive difference to clients, customers and staff

One of few Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) in the architectural domain, BDN’s Longevity Housing and Care Approach is seeking to improve housing and care for older individuals. Developed in collaboration with Northumbria University, the northern practice have established key design principles that promote accessibility, inclusivity and support to ensure new homes and care environments effectively serve the needs of a diverse ageing society.

BDN work alongside a collective of specialists from Northumbria University in architecture, gerontology, health and social care disciplines to provide a holistic understanding of the key problems and challenges related to ageing, enabling this knowledge to be transferred to live developments.

The KTP partnership has also been integrated into a £59 million framework for Sunderland City Council for improved care and housing provision for older people in the city, with BDN pioneering a flagship supportive living scheme in Ryhope, Sunderland. Due to begin on site in 2024, St Cuthbert’s Church is a new community of six high-quality one-storey properties and two staff hubs, designed to support improved health, wellbeing, and care.

Richard Marsden, Managing Director, said, “We are delighted to have been awarded the Highly Commended Award in the Innovation category, acknowledging the impact our Longevity Housing and Care Approach is having in Sunderland.

“As a Sunderland based firm, we are dedicated in the transformation of the city and its people and are actively using research generated from the KTP to inform live developments across the UK, including in our hometown of Sunderland. It is an honour to have been celebrated alongside an array of forward-thinking innovations and successful Wearside businesses.”

View the full list of winners here > Winners | Sunderland Business Awards 2023 (nationalworldevents.com)