Lentor Health Nursing Home

Elevating Care and Community

Studio STH was first engaged by the National University of Singapore (NUS) as one of the two shortlisted architectural design firms to develop the conceptual design ideas for what has become the Lentor Health Nursing Home in Macpherson, Singapore.

Collaborating closely with the client, Studio STH have designed a sustainable human-centric facility that promotes social, physical and mental wellbeing for its residents, staff and visitors. Beautifully appointed facilities including community café, landscaped gardens and outdoor amenities help to create a welcoming environment to allow for patient autonomy and genuine care.

The methodology for our research has been informed by the design principles established through evidence-based research carried out by NUS research team. The research includes focus group discussions with staff and residents of five nursing homes across Singapore, and the observation of residents and staff to understand the workflow, behaviour and interactions with their environment. 

Key themes for comparison against the research framework are supporting autonomy and independence, introducing adaptable design, creating supportive and enabling environment and encouraging community integration.

Part of the design is embracing flexibility, adaptability and the idea of creating a neighbourhood within the facility. Four-bed rooms are arranged into 'households', with a total of 12 beds per floor connecting together to create a community. Each floor or 'neighbourhood' is equipped with day rooms, outdoor spaces, respite areas and a communal dining area to encourage social interactions needed for overall wellbeing. Optimising the spatial planning allows for a more welcoming space for residents, but also enhances staff efficiencies on a daily basis.