RBA Architects first commission for the Abbeyfield Society was an Extra Care facility in Locks Heath near Fareham. The site contained an existing Victorian farm house that had recently been deemed no longer suitable for the elderly tenants and beyond economic repair, as well as a mid-80’s residential block which was also failing to provide suitable functions in light of developing care standards for the elderly. Our brief was to develop a scheme that could be developed in two consecutive phases and provide apartments for independent living, rather than the single bedroom / shared bathroom model previously employed. Alongside this would be a large central dining room and lounge and commercial specification kitchen which would allow the residents and their families to congregate. In keeping with emerging models of Extra Care provision, the scheme also included hobby rooms and separate seating areas. The scheme was in part funded by the HCA and as such was designed to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 utilising fabric first approach. A lightweight timber frame was employed to minimise construction time and disruption to the neighbours and residents during construction. This completed using EST Enhanced Construction Details to provide an extremely air tight building and combined with a fully automated MVHR system that required little user interaction. Renewable technologies have been allowed for at a later date should the client wish to install them, but they were not required to meet Code Level 3. Under novation to the contractor, we worked closely with the whole team to ensure that the scheme phasing could be delivered without compromising the welfare of the residents who remained on site and were decanted between phases. The scheme was deliver to the client on time and on budget. RBA Architects have been retained by the Abbeyfield Society to develop further care schemes across the South of England.