Knowl Park House
“Knowl Park House is a dementia day care centre in Mirfield designed to support individuals with dementia and physical disabilities, and their families. The project aims to promote independence, foster connections, and provide a safe and supportive environment to its users. It features zones for wellbeing, therapy, activities, and a garden, helping residents with daily living and cognitive engagement through spaces that resemble familiar home environments. Knowl Park House is not just a care facility but a place of comfort, community, and compassion, transforming the lives of its residents and demonstrating how architecture can create a more compassionate world.”
“Knowl Park House is a state-of-the-art dementia day care centre in Mirfield, designed to support people with dementia, mobility challenges, and physical disabilities. Frank Shaw Associates aimed to create a space that not only meets the practical needs of its residents but also promotes independence, fosters connections, and ensures a sense of safety and value. The new single-storey facility, replacing a dated two-storey building, prioritizes the comfort, safety, and well-being of its users with a thoughtful and compassionate approach, and will provide dementia care for vulnerable residents in the community, and give carers some respite.
A key partnership with the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Design Centre (DSDC) ensured the incorporation of dementia design principles that meet DSDC dementia standards. From room layouts to wall colours, every design aspect has been considered through the eyes of someone living with dementia. The design of Knowl Park House goes beyond functionality to reduce anxiety and encourage social interaction. The centre mimics a village, with a domestic scale and uses familiar materials to create a homely atmosphere. Inside, lighting and acoustics have been carefully planned to support vision, minimize overstimulation, and utilize natural light. Tactile materials further support sensory needs.
The centre’s circular design eliminates dead ends and features wide paths and visible “destination” spaces to reduce confusion and encourage exploration. This layout supports both independence and safety for residents. The facility is divided into four key zones: Wellbeing, Home Therapy, Activity, and Garden. These areas are linked by clear wayfinding, including bold colours and signage, allowing residents to navigate independently. The design encourages relaxation, emotional connections, and cognitive engagement through spaces that resemble familiar home environments. The Garden Zone, with its greenhouse and raised beds, provides a safe outdoor area that connects residents to nature and promotes physical activity, enhanced by its location next to the beautiful Knowl Park.
Knowl Park House is also a community hub, offering resources, consultations, and support for families and carers in its Centre for Excellence. Its Demonstration Bungalow showcases dementia-friendly designs and assistive technologies to help families support loved ones at home. At its core, Knowl Park House reflects a commitment to treating residents with care, respect, and understanding. By combining innovative care strategies with thoughtful design, it sets a new standard for dementia care, creating a compassionate environment that transforms the lives of its users.”
We are proud to feature and promote in our architecture magazine Knowl Park House, a dementia care centre in Mirfield.
