Design Trifecta for Seniors Housing
The new Residential Design Code for Apartments known as Design WA, is the latest in a series of design policy innovations with the potential to make development of vertical villages more of a reality in Perth.
The new apartment design code coincides with the recent introduction of community strata titles, which is important in making mix-use projects like vertical villages more viable by clearly apportioning responsibility for different amenities in a development.
“When you combine these innovations with existing Liveable Housing Guidelines there is a huge opportunity to finally achieve a greater acceptance of vertical villages that incorporate a broad mix of uses, including retail, independent living units and aged-care facilities”, says KPA Architects Director Todd Paterson.
“We see Design WA as a positive, as it brings basic and considered design principles to assist an array of designers including builders, draftspersons, interior designers, architects, landscape designers when designing and building new apartment developments.
“These codes will improve apartment living, as it will give end users a clear understanding of what they should expect from the building; and to designers and builders, an understanding of what their end users will be expecting. These codes can also benefit seniors when they are choosing their next home.
“As seniors generally downsize into smaller homes, we believe Design WA will make apartment living a more attractive and viable option. With opportunities of shared courtyards and communal spaces such as bar and lounges, pools and BBQ alfresco areas, apartment developments can provide these amenities and more with little or no maintenance required from residents.
“With minimum ceiling height and room size requirements in Design WA, seniors can be comfortable knowing they can fit themselves, their belongings and their families when they come to visit and stay” notes Mr. Paterson.
“At KPA, we also have staff who are LHA (Liveable Housing Australia) assessors and designers. If we combine the new apartment design Codes with the Liveable Housing Guidelines in a community title framework, the opportunities and options of unique seniors housing is endless” says Mr. Paterson.
If you would like to discuss this opportunity of seniors housing using the new Residential Design Code for Apartments and / or the Liveable Housing Australia guidelines with the application of community titles, please get in contact with Todd Paterson from KPA Architects on 9367-6866 or [email protected].