HOMESTEAD
Designing therapeutic, nature-based environments
Homestead is a pioneering initiative founded by Makower Architects in collaboration with a team of clinical psychiatrists aimed at transforming mental health services in the UK. It aims to bridge the gap in community mental health provision for those with psychosis by creating supported-housing and day services within a therapeutic, nature-based environment that foster recovery, wellbeing and social reintegration. Ultimately, the project hopes to establish a benchmark for mental health infrastructure, much like Maggie’s Centres have for cancer care, fostering a model that can be replicated nationwide.
The defining design principle is the rejection of institutional aesthetics in favour of warm, inviting spaces that promote healing and interaction.
The first rural Homestead prototype is being developed at Hafod Farm on the Hartsheath Estate in North Wales. A 3 hectare farm located between Liverpool and Wrexham, it will house up to 15 ‘homesteaders’ with psychosis and up to 25 live-in staff, resident-makers and guests.
Homestead’s design philosophy emphasizes indoor-outdoor living, eliminating long corridors and maximizing natural light, fresh air, and green spaces. The farm’s layout supports seasonal expansion, with barns repurposed for summer activities. Thoughtful spatial planning ensures accessibility, safety, and a sense of belonging. Community engagement with the design is integral to the project, involving future residents, local stakeholders and design experts in shaping the space. This participatory approach ensures that the built environment reflects the values and needs of its users, making Homestead a model of responsive and inclusive design.
The masterplan for Hafod Farm maximizes the site’s natural assets, incorporating eco-cabins, a communal farmyard, and a vibrant mix of spaces for therapy, creativity, and enterprise. It follows a phased development approach, starting with core therapeutic services and expanding into enterprise initiatives that support long-term sustainability. One of the defining design principles is the rejection of institutional aesthetics in favour of warm, inviting spaces that promote healing and interaction.
Communal, indoor-outdoor living, eliminating long corridors and maximizing natural light, fresh air and green spaces
The eco-cabins are designed to provide accommodation for staff, resident-makers, and ‘step-down’ Homesteaders, who are seeking a more independent environment.
Each unit includes an en-suite bathroom, kitchenette, and an outdoor seating area, fostering a balance between privacy and social engagement.
All design, both for existing buildings and new-build, will seek to maximise the use of recycled (and recyclable) materials. All buildings will achieve a zero-carbon footprint; minimising, energy use, and waste; and maximising adaptability and longevity.
To find out more about our Homestead project visit the website homestead.org.uk
Location:
Hafod Farm, Hartsheath Estate, Flintshire, North Wales
Use:
Health, Community, Social Enterprise
Status:
Design
Size:
3 hectares
Client:
Self-initiated
Project Date:
2023-ongoing
Collaborators:
Dr Andrew Howe, Maudsley Trust; Dr Alberto Salmoiraghi, Head of Mental Health for North Wales;
Awards:
SALUS Future Healthcare Design Award
