Billard Leece Partnership worked closely with Baptcare to design a luxury boutique retirement living apartment complex in Macleod, complete with beautifully appointed community facilities.
Initially, BLP were engaged to undertake the design review of the project’s current masterplan.
Based on their proposed vision and design for the site, BLP were further engaged to redesign the existing Schematic Design for Stage 2 and 3 of the Strathalan Integrated Community redevelopment.
The project comprised a new retirement living apartment building including 37 ILAs and a community centre, refurbishment of an existing heritage building for wellbeing and ancillary spaces including 32 ILUs.
BLP design spaces that promote social, physical and mental wellbeing.
Access to natural light and ventilation is vital, so there are views to surrounding nature and lots of lovely, landscaped areas to bring the outside in.
Security is also high priority, so residents feel safe and secure in their environment and be able to lock up and leave if they choose to.
In aligning with a key briefing requirement of Baptcare, the community facilities and residences were designed by BLP to allow residents to age-in-place and seek access to services if and when they require them.
The community centre is at the heart of the site, situated on the ground floor of the apartment building.
This building includes a commercial kitchen to facilitate a fully functioning café and ‘a la carte’ restaurant, club lounge, billiards area, resident bar, men’s den and resort-style facilities such as a gym, hair and beauty salon, private dining, library and an enclosed winter garden to sit and enjoy a meal.
The heritage homestead, originally built in 1911 was transformed into a wellness hub for visiting health practitioners, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and podiatrists.
There is also a co-located aged care facility for residents who may need further care and support in future.
A communal vegetable garden, outdoor barbecue area, and outdoor seniors exercise gym/playground will be built adjacent to the historic Strathalan Homestead as part of the project’s next phase, which will include an additional 32 villa units.
Briefed by Baptcare, BLP were engaged to design a luxury boutique retirement living apartment complex in Macleod, complete with beautifully appointed community facilities.
These residences were designed to facilitate a joyful and active ageing journey, create a village for like-minded residents who want to live and socialise together, and develop a sense of, ‘having made it’ for those in the process of downsizing.
Retirement living design has changed dramatically over the past decade and BLP are seeing a more discerning clientele with greater expectations.
Today’s retirement living residents are more astute, active, and healthy.
They expect to continue living independently, lead active lifestyles and pursue their interests and hobbies long into the foreseeable future and have the expectation that they will be supported by accessing various services if the need arises.
The Strathalan Integrated Community sits upon a hill in Macleod, with extensive vistas across Banyule Creek, above the top of Coleen Reserve, and the densely treed Simpson Barracks.
Whilst this provides a beautiful outlook it does present challenges to design an accessible continuum of care village.
Careful consideration of level differences and access through and around the site were primary drivers in designing and delivering the project.
In addition, the village contains a fully operational 150 bed residential aged care facility, 26 ILUs from Stage 1 and 49 existing ILUs in Stage 4, so meticulous staging was required to ensure minimal noise and interruption occurred during construction.
Many sustainability features were incorporated into the project:
- All dwellings have been designed with a minimum Silver Plus performance level (many achieve Gold standard) as per the Liveable Housing Design Guidelines.
- Access to natural light and ventilation is key to the design of the apartments and units.
- Views to surrounding nature, combined with extensive landscape gardens all aid in bringing the outside in.
- A 120,000-litre water tank for grey water storage for irrigation purposes is located under the basement carpark of the apartment building.
- Provision of bicycle parking for residents, staff, and visitors alike.
- Provision of two electric vehicle charging stations.
- Roof mounted solar PVs.
- WELS rated sanitary fixtures and appliances.
- Provision of community gardens.
- A dedicated centralised green waste for organic waste, recycling, and general waste to aid in waste minimisation.
- Provision of an outdoor BBQ area and seniors outdoor exercise equipment.
- Mobility scooter parking for thirteen adjacent The Homestead.
Key Products Used
- A mixture of rendered finishes and brickwork patterning
- Powdercoated metal and glazed balustrades
- Pergolas and sunshade devices
- 2400mmH windows
- Chevron parquetry flooring
- Caesarstone benchtops to kitchens and bathrooms
- European appliances with full integrated fridges and dishwashers
- Laminate benchtops for laundries
Baptcare is a faith-based not-for-profit organisation that provides residential and community care for older people, support to children, families and people living with a disability, financially disadvantaged people and people seeking asylum.
In 1911, the original homestead at Baptcare Strathalan Community was built when a group of Baptist women joined to raise money in a time of war to open Australia’s first Baptist home for older people.
This marked the beginning of the not-for-profit organisation, which was borne out of a desire to care for people and local communities.
Baptcare operates with a WECARE values system. Baptcare’s residents, customers, clients, friends, and supporters are guided by the WECARE values (Wellbeing, Ethics, Co-creating, Accountability, Respect, Effectiveness) which includes the very young to the very old, the vulnerable, and families at all levels and stages of life.
These principles coincide with the core values of BLP, which has been reflected in the design and delivery of Strathalan.
Project Details
Project Size – 7,500 m2
Completion Date – 2021
Building Levels – 4
Project Team
Client
Baptcare Ltd
Architecture
Billard Leece Partnership
BLP are a group of dynamic architects, interior designers, and urban designers based in Melbourne and Sydney, working Australia-wide and internationally across all sectors.
They have a proven track record of designing and delivering complex projects.
BLP develop a collaborative and comprehensive design approach unique to each client and project and aspire to produce innovative architecture.
They create environments tailored to suit their clients’ expectations which provide enjoyment to the people who inhabit them.
Structural and Civil Engineering
Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec
Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec (WGA) is a multi-disciplinary, award-winning engineering and project management team with an ethos based on developing long-term collaborative client relationships, and delivering innovative, buildable and economical solutions.
Quantity Surveying
Currie & Brown
Currie & Brown is an asset management and construction consultancy driven by innovation.
Construction
Devco Project & Construction Management
Established in 1988, by Romando Nascarella and Paul Launech, Devco Project & Construction Management continues to build an enviable track record into its fourth decade of operation.
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Arcadis
Arcadis is the leading global design and consultancy organization for natural and built assets.
Town Planning
Urbis
Urbis has one simple goal – to shape the cities and communities of Australia for a better future.
Landscape Architecture
CDA Design Group
CDA Design Group has extensive experience with projects requiring an integrated design solution.
Building Certification
Approval Systems
Approval Systems has a comprehensive body of work in its portfolio representing most sectors of the property industry.
Its projects include aged and health care, retail, industrial and many large scale multi-storey commercial developments.
Approval Systems reputation has been earned by working collaboratively and directly with the Managing Director, Joe Zita.
Fire Engineering
Gincat
GinCat Fire Safety Engineering has 18+ years experience in Fire Testing and Fire Engineering. They provide innovative fire safety solutions in a timely and professional manner.
Acoustic Engineering
Marshall Day Acoustics
Marshall Day Acoustics is a united team of engineers, architects, musicians, designers and scientists, all with one common goal: to deliver exceptional acoustic designs.
Photography
Christine Francis
Melbourne photographer Christine Francis specializes in interiors, architecture and design.
She greatly appreciates diversity and collaboration in her work, a preference that shines through in her images.
Francis’ academic background is in visual communication – her photographs have featured projects in Australia and abroad.
Photo Gallery
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.
Design © 2021 Billard Leece Partnership. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2021 Christine Francis. All Rights Reserved.
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