Cobham Bowers is a later living community in the heart of Cobham Village, created with retirement specialist Pegasus, part of the Lifestory Group. A collection of elegant, light filled apartments is arranged around a lush walled garden, offering a tranquil, domestic setting inspired by the village and nearby landscape. Replacing an outdated office site, it reimagines an underused plot as a connected neighbourhood, drawing on local character to shape a serene, garden-focused place to live.
A welcoming entrance pavilion marks the threshold between public and private realms. Beyond it, a flexible communal room supports shared meals, celebrations, well-being sessions and informal gatherings, keeping activity close to home. Architecture and landscape are closely integrated: traditional
flint walls enclose a green courtyard, homes are oriented for light and views, and circulation offers smaller places to pause and meet. Materials and detailing lend a calm, robust character that feels non-institutional and firmly rooted in context.
The design supports those moving from family homes by balancing privacy with neighbourliness. The courtyard fosters informal interaction, while apartments retain a strong sense of retreat. Proximity to village amenities sustains outward-looking routines, and on-site spaces enable active, socially connected lives without formality. Overall, the project delivers a quietly confident model for later living, using shared spaces and gentle choreography to enrich everyday life.
Judges praised the intimate scale and social focus, highlighting architecture that enables community while respecting privacy. They commended sensitive massing, generous daylight and an assured handling of context, with detailing of notably high quality. The scheme was recognised for emotional intelligence and meaningful placemaking, alongside well choreographed circulation that supports wellbeing. Presentation materials were persuasive and resident sentiment was positive, positioning the project as a standout example of later living. One judge remarked: “Cobham Bowers is a model of intimate, well-scaled retirement living that prioritises social wellbeing, meaningful placemaking, and dignity in later life.”
