DESIGN
Ages
&Stages Retirement village design has changed over the years to reflect each generation’s needs and desires, and Uniting’s new developments have also changed to reflect the shifting needs in the independent living market.
e are constantly reviewing changing trends in the space and making sure our villages reflect this,” said Simon Furness, director of property and housing. With the baby boomer generation reaching retirement age, they are starting to think about the next chapter of their lives, and this means Uniting has to think about how their needs differ from the previous generation. “To avoid the many hassles of homeownership, many are realising that downsizing is the right option for them. “The incoming generation is increasingly interested in having extra space for hobbies and grandchildren to stay over. “With the increased demand for retirement living, Uniting will continue to innovate to ensure that people continue living life to the fullest.” These innovations are integrated into all
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elements of Uniting’s villages, including the design, technology and sustainability. Natural lighting is an important design element of all Uniting’s developments and considers this feature for not only the dwellings but also the landscape and community spaces. “Our dwellings are thoughtfully designed to include spacious layouts that allow people to move around easily, as well as plenty of natural light and ventilation. “Solar access and natural light are also considered in every project from the first principles of site layout and orientation. Where possible, we consider including skylights to encourage night light into our homes.” Uniting believes a campus model is the future of service provision. The recent development at Westmead and upcoming development in Normanhurst, Bowden Brae, have been designed using this model. Using a campus model, the buildings are all in
