engineering service for the $2.5 million facelift of the Packwood Home.

"We were approached by the Packwood Home trustees and management committee about five years ago,'' said senior architecture technician, Mr. Phillip Nearon. "And about two years ago, we began working on a design for the new Home.'' Before Packwood Home was revamped, a traditional Bermuda cottage existed on the beach front property. And some parts were more than 175 years old.

"Our task then was to increase the size of the residence while preserving it's charming old flavour,'' he said.

"The Home has tripled in size yet it still resembles a private residence rather than an institution. There is a main house on the property as well as a small cottage where two couples can live.'' The construction, which took about a year to complete, gave the entire home 15 two-bed bedrooms, an elevator, an industrial-sized kitchen, laundry facilities and a generous living room and dining area.

"Essentially, the Home looks the same,'' said Mr. Nearon. "But it is much bigger.'' Packwood Home previously housed only 14 people but now can hold up to 30.

Mr. Lloyd Telford, chairman of the building committee and vice-chairman of the management committee said: "We wanted to keep the home's traditional look.

"The old cottage home, for example, had push-out shutters so we added the same type of blinds to the new building. Also two of the original chimneys from the old cottage were preserved,'' he said.

Mr. Nearon noted the Packwood Home is a place for the elderly to spend the rest of their lives so "we tried to make it as comfortable and family-like as possible''.

"The inside looks very different but we managed to maintain the old charm and character of the cottage,'' he said. "There are bay windows in every bedroom and most have beautiful views of the water.

"We also designed a spacious veranda which overlooks Ely's Harbour and allows the elderly to sit comfortably outside,'' he said.

The grounds at Packwood Home were landscaped with the needs of elderly people in mind, according to Mr. Roger Steffens, landscape architect at the Ministry of Works.

"We designed a bus shelter as well as a car park in front of the Home with pathways leading directly toward the lay-by,'' he said.

The outside area to the rear of the building was formerly overgrown with bamboo and cone grass.

"But we cleared it away which opened up the beautiful water views,'' said Mr.

Steffens. Landscapers developed a raised garden, a flower bed and a vegetable growing area.

"The new gardens will give the elderly an opportunity to partake in outdoor activities,'' said Mr. Nearon.

"And gardening is very therapeutic for senior citizens,'' added Mr. Steffens.

The Packwood Home renovations were completed ahead of time and on budget, according to Mr. Nearon. "The contractors and sub-contractors did an excellent job.'' Mr. Telford, who was involved with the project since the beginning, said he was pleased with the renovations.

He said the Packwood Home is now the only senior citizens' home in Bermuda which is built according to Government specifications.

"The Government regulations have yet to become law,'' said Mr. Telford.

"But the Packwood Home sets a standard to which other nursing homes will have to eventually comply.''