An extra care facility for a key site within the Clifton Conservation Area of York and the setting of a locally listed building. The site has two main elements – an existing locally listed building, Ashbank House, and a newbuild element.  

Ashbank House is a locally listed Victorian Villa with a 1960s extension that has been used as council offices. The proposal includes the removal of the 1960s extension and the redevelopment of the original villa into four bespoke extra care apartments. The sunken garden from the villa has been retained as a central courtyard between Ashbank House and the proposed Barleyfields.  

The new build is a two and a half storey residential block that will provide 56 apartments to Anchor’s ‘high-end’ standards and includes several communal facilities within the building. Emphasis has been placed on the subservience of the proposed building to Ashbank House. Materials and architectural detailing are used to reduce the overall perception of the mass by creating a plinth at ground level and the selection of materials. The massing of the new build uses different architectural language to Ashbank House to avoid pastiche. The materiality of the building was also carefully selected to respond to the local area and the existing building.