Hargood Close /
Proctor and Matthews
H
argood Close is a supported
housing development in
Colchester. A contemporary
interpretation of traditional almshouses,
the scheme has transformed provision
for homeless people in and around
Colchester.
The Brief
Hargood Close replaces an emergency
hostel on the site where accommodation
was arranged haphazardly across a series
of dated buildings and prefabricated
units that were difficult to maintain.
Facilities were poor, and the site was an
increasingly unpleasant environment.
The design team and clients (Family
Mosaic in partnership with Colchester
Borough Council) therefore seized the
opportunity to provide high quality
modern accommodation and services,
carefully designed around the needs of
residents and staff in a domestic, rather
than