History and Influences
Hendon, now a London suburb in the Borough of Barnet, was once a woodland area, supplying timber for fuel to London industries and following the switch to coal in the 16th century, the land was given over to grass to provide fodder for the thousands of horses working in the capital.
The rural setting and the proximity to London made Hendon a popular location for the gentry to build country retreats, with evidence of these dating back as far as the 13th century. The coming of the railway in the 1800s led to the surrounding hamlets being subsumed into the village and modern Hendon took form.
Originally known as Hendon Manor, Hendon Hall was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The location, facing Parson Street has seen several versions of the grand hall; the current one being described as ‘new’ in 1756, built in classical Georgian style from red brick. The Hall was purchased by David Garrick, the famed actor and Shakespeare enthusiast. He was titled as Lord of the Manor of Hendon from 1765 until his death in 1779, though it is unlikely that he ever lived there. In the grounds of the Hall he built an octagonal temple dedicated to the theatre and today, two obelisks honouring him and his hero Shakespeare are to be found in the garden.
Now part of the Signature estate, the existing house is to be retained and developed in line with the recommendations of the Conservation Architect. This brings significant demands of practical and aesthetic nature to the development team, a challenge which we are keen to accept. The interior design must preserve the best of the original features, but at the same time provide a safe, welcoming environment for the future residents. The old hall will house a grand restaurant overlooking the garden and high-ceilinged bar and lounges with original fi replaces, cornices and artwork. The staircase and lobby will be treated in a style appropriate to their period. The north wing will house the Emporium, with the existing toilets being replaced by a Hair Salon and Therapy Room. It will not be an easy task to create twenty-first century facilities within the Georgian original, but the final result will be exceptional.
Grand Lobby, Reception & Café
The first impression of the Reception will be the welcome of the receptionist and the bustling, lively atmosphere of the area.
Its interior design takes inspiration from the grandeur of the existing buildings features with the introduction of classic architectural elements and quality lighting and soft furnishings.
Those wishing to can sit comfortably where they can be involved in the day to day comings and goings of the home whilst those wanting a quiet time can find a more seclude area by the fireplace and watch the world go by.
Garden Room & Cosy Corner
Providing the only level access into the gardens this area is designed to work with the exterior space with its greenhouse interior, fixtures and fittings.
The access between this space and the garden will encourage residents to participate in outdoor activities, helping them get some much needed vitamin D and encourage physical activity both individually or in a group.
Facilities include:
• Chairs and Activity Tables
• Storage and Display
Restaurant
The design of the restaurant is intended to support the staff in their nourishing of the residents by creating a welcoming, warm atmosphere with space to enjoy a meal in comfort.
With colours to stimulate the appetite and varied seating options to encourage social engagement for those who wish it and a more private experience for those who prefer to enjoy their meals in peace. The dining experience is one of the most important parts of the residents’ day.
Facilities include:
• Seating for 44 Residents and Guests
Bistro
With all dining located on the ground floor the creation of different dining experiences to provide the residents with variety is critical.
Although connected to the main restaurant, the Bistro area will take on a more informal dining feel that will be reflected in the fixtures and finishes reflecting Hendon’s sporting heritage
Located close to the Lounge Bar where residents will be able to enjoy a pre-dinner pint or a game of chess.
Facilities include:
• Seating for 18 Residents and Guests to dine
Private Dining
The Private Dining Room interior is designed with luxurious fi nishes that will complement the gracious style of a great manor house and the fixtures and fittings being retained within the existing interior.
This is a space that can be used for special occasions allowing residents to invite friends and family to their own dining room experience whilst providing necessary seating capacity to support the other restaurant spaces.
Facilities include:
• Seating for 20 Residents and Guests to dine
Lounge Bar
The Lounge Bar is located in part of the existing building and its interior will once again be sympathetic to the existing features that are to be retained whilst celebrating the local celebrities such as Punch founder Mark Lemon.
The large windows will not only provide generous amounts of natural light into the room but allow views into the side garden. It will be fi lledwith softly upholstered seating and coffee tables arranged in small social groups allowing residents to socialise, enjoy a pre-dinner drink or sit quietly and read a book.
Facilities include:
• Bar Servery
• Combination of Sofas and High Back Chairs
Emporium
The social opportunities provided by the Hair Salon, Nail Bar & Therapy Room are facilitated by a spacious and stylish interior design that is sympathetic to the building’s listed interior, where residents can enjoy a pampering experience and a familiar routine as though they were visiting a High Street Salon.
Equipment and furniture specially suited to the age group allows for an enjoyable hair washing experience whilst the therapy room offers a state of the art three sectional electric couch that provides support to the less physically able residents.
Facilities include:
• Two Hair Styling Stations
• One Hair Wash Station
• One Nail Bar Station
• One Private Therapy Room with Electric Couch
Garrick Hall & Activity Room
The key to this space is its chameleon like design and interior. It is simple and practical in design to enable any activity to sit comfortably within. The flexibility of the rom with its open space and wheeled tables and stacking chairs allows for a multitude of arrangements to suit all pastimes.
Although the kitchen area has the appearance of a domestic kitchen its design and equipment make it capable of catering for the room’s occupancy when used as a social space.
A memory wall and shelving to display 3D creations provide character to the otherwise functional interior.
Facilities include:
• Auditorium style demountable stage and seating for up to 60 residents and guests
• Wheeled activity tables and high back upholstered chairs for resident’s activities
Cinema
The Cinema is designed to be dramatic and differ completely from the rest of the home. It is intended that a visit to the
cinema is a real event, providing an occasion to be anticipated.
The big screen, luxurious seating, theatrical lighting and plush furnishings are strongly influenced by London’s West End Garrick Theatre paying homage to 18th Century Actor and Theatre Manager David Garrick, once owner of Hendon Hall.
Facilities include:
• Combination of 16 Luxury Single Chairs and Sofas
• Side Tables
• Foot Rests to Front Row
• Drinks Fridge
Library
This tranquil and comfortable space, designed sympathetically within the existing building’s stable block arch pays homage to the local area’s Aviation history from Claude Graham White to the RAF, providing the only communal space on the first floor.
Walls lined with bookshelves, computer station and focal fireplace complement the traditional style chairs smartly upholstered in soft, comfortable fabrics. The combination of natural and artificial lighting is designed to ensure that
those with failing eyesight have enough light to allow them to read.
Facilities include:
• Combination of Sofas and Reading Chairs
• Computer Station
• Tea & Coffee Stations
Dementia: Circulation Spaces
The Circulation spaces are coloured to help with navigation and decorative leaner rails are provided to assist with walking
with clear signage set at a level that can be easily read.
Light fittings are carefully selected to avoid an institutional appearance but not encourage residents to try to touch them.
The circulation spaces provide walking routes for those able with 2 and 3 dimensional memory prompts to stimulate and
promote conversations as well as being useful tools to distract agitated residents.
Dementia: Lounge
The provision of lounge spaces, both large and small, provides choice and variety in size to residents whose world has become smaller.
Domestic in their interior style with simple, un-confusing décor and recognizable fixtures and fittings such as TV and
Lamps, they are spaces to encourage both group and individual activities.
Dementia: Kitchen & Dining
The kitchen area is domestic in size and interior style with glass fronted wall cupboards and open shelving to allow residents clear and unobstructed vision.
A new catering operation will make meal times easier for Staff & Residents.
Mixed dining tables allow the space to be changed to suit the day’s activities and practical vinyl flooring to enable easy maintenance.
Garden Spaces
The provision of external spaces and facilities are invaluable to stimulate & promote the wellbeing of residents.
Raised beds and veg trugs complete with green house and storage will provide an activity area where residents can ‘grow their own’.
Quiet seating areas will offer residents the opportunity to just sit and reflect in a natural, outdoor environment.
Art Space
The design of the Art Space is light and airy with facilities to store and display the materials required to support a diverse range of independent or group art activities.
The combination of natural daylight and artificial lighting is designed to provide enough light for residents to comfortably participate in the art space activities. The adjoining corridors will be dressed to complement the art and design theme of the Art Space.
Facilities include:
• Tables and Chairs for activities
• Art Display, Storage Units and Shelving
