We're on a mission to transform Rotary Heartbeat House to make it more accessible, inclusive, and better suited to the diverse needs of the families who stay with us.
With the celebrations of the house turning 30 years old, we are pleased to share that Rotary Heartbeat House will be taking on a renovation of its own, with health and safety being top priority along with inclusivity and accessibility.
Below is some of the aspects that we are looking to improve for the cardiac families that stay with us at Rotary Heartbeat House.
Proposal Overview
The proposal is for a single-storey rear extension. It will replace 2 deteriorating and thermally inefficient conservatories, along with an underutilised annex staircase. The former is outdated and suffers from poor environmental performance, while the latter has become redundant due to changes in the building’s internal layout and use. The proposed extension will provide a permanent, high-performing construction that enhances comfort, accessibility and sustainability, whilst significantly improving the building’s overall functionality.
Accessibility and Functionality:
The design introduces 2 semi-accessible bedrooms with ensuite wet rooms and a further first floor twin bedroom with ensuite, we will also be adding a new external terrace with offers residents the opportunity to enjoy fresh air and connect with the outdoors. Steps and a ramp will create an access means to the lower garden area. These new facilities directly address the growing need for inclusive accommodation for guests with varying mobility needs.
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Equally important is the creation of multi-functional communal spaces. The extension will provide a more comfortable and practical area for remote working, while also acting as an inviting and flexible hub for regular coffee mornings, fundraising events, and other community gatherings.
Materiality and Fenestration
The external material palette has been carefully selected for both durability and sensitivity to the existing structure. Buff brick masonry forms much of the external envelope, maintain continuity with the original building, while vertical timber cladding offers a softer, natural contrast. This combination creates a framing effect with hard materiality embracing soft which is especially evident on the rear elevation, where brickwork frames the timber and defines a sheltered terrace area overlooking the garden. Integrated planters soften the transition from building to landscape and allow flowers to thrive, reinforcing the therapeutic quality of the garden space.
Generous glazing ensures excellent natural light levels throughout the extension. A lantern rooflight allows daylight to penetrate deeper into the floor plan, reducing reliance on artificial light and supporting residence wellbeing.
