In this podcast, our 200th episode,dwp Sector Leader for Seniors Living Rebecca Plumstead talks us through designing modern aged care facilities.

She explains that new developments in retirement and residential aged care are becoming more sophisticated and diverse. Gone are the days when retirement villages were all low-density greenfield developments in the outer suburbs and residential aged care facilities were quasi-hospitals.

“In retirement villages, we are seeing a lot more medium-rise and inner urban developments, mixed-use buildings that house other related uses such as health tenancies, apartment-style retirement villages with rooftop bars and gardens, cafes that the public can access, resort-style restaurants and communal areas that cater for a diverse range of activities and facilities that provide for the fact that retirement village residents may not be fully retired,” Rebecca explains.

Residential aged care, on the other hand, has moved away from institutional design. Some ways this is achieved include breaking the developments down into smaller household groupings which are more homelike and provide better care, especially for residents with dementia.

Rebecca says the integration of technology at every level is fast becoming the norm from touch screen concierge within retirement apartments to sensor systems that can detect resident falls or changes in behaviour in aged care settings.

“Design is constantly evolving…and the needs of the residents vary widely,” she says.

For an example of a unique, modern retirement village, Rebeccas points to the dwp-designed Europa on Alma in St Kilda, Melbourne.

“It really breaks away from the conventional image of a retirement village. It’s medium-rise apartment buildings in an urban context and the common areas feel like a luxury hotel but the facility maintains a relationship to the artistic bohemian relationship of the area,” she says.

All artwork in common areas was sourced through a local art tender process, an independent, locally run cafe opens out onto the street and there’s plenty to keep residents busy from an arts and crafts workshop and a library and games room to rooftop community gardens, gyms and shared vehicle arrangements.

“The focus there is very much on lifestyle, community and supporting independence and at the same time you think you’re in a high-end city apartment and not a retirement village”.

Rebecca says when it comes to trends emerging in the aged care sector she’s seeing more people wanting in-home care for longer as well as more innovative designs for dementia. She also believes there needs to be an increase in the diversity of aged care offerings to effectively match the diversity of our society.

“I’d like to see more money in the sector to assist operators to achieve what they want to do and to allow there to be shorter waiting lists and more accessibility”.

Ultimately dwp values focusing on community and collaboration and working with clients to ensure they’re part of the design process.

“We also take seriously our responsibility to the local community and the environment. I love working to provide homes for people that will really improve quality of life”.

This podcast is brought to you in association with Siniat, proud sponsor of Talking Architecture & Design Podcast Aged Care Series.

Listen to the full podcast here.