The federal government has launched a national design competition, challenging architects and interior designers to reimagine assisted living facilities in order to better meet the requirements of residents.
The Reimagining Where We Live competition is the result of a finding by the Royal Commission on Aged Care Quality and Safety that less than half of residential aged-care homes employ accessible and dementia-friendly design principles.
The purpose of the contest is to test the draft National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, which were published for public comment in September of this year. The contest aims to improve the quality of life of those in aged care by implementing practical changes in aged care homes.
Participants may submit designs for either or both of the two proposed sites, one regional and one metropolitan. Winners of either location’s first place will receive $50,000, while runners-up will receive $20,000.
Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care, stated that the competition has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for seniors and the working conditions of those who provide care.
“In order to accomplish this, design must be based on the experiences of those who reside in nursing homes, as well as evidence demonstrating how to best mitigate the obstacles that lead them to seek residential care,” she said. “The government wants to encourage flexibility and innovation in the design of senior housing and support emerging technologies in order to meet the needs of future generations more effectively.”
The Australian Institute of Architects and Australian Institute of Landscape Architects have encouraged design practitioners to get involved and be a part of the solution for helping older people live meaningful lives by creating accessible, independent, functional, and inclusive environments.
Stuart Tanner, the national president of the Institute, stated that the competition recognizes the significance of geriatric care housing and its potential for positive effects.
Tanner stated, “extensive research demonstrates that good design and architecture improves livability.”
“All Australians deserve effective design, but our elderly residents in particular,” Well-designed, well-researched buildings and considerate spaces improve the quality of life for seniors, which is what we all desire.
The entries will be judged by an independent panel of nine eminent design and senior care professionals, with input from individuals with firsthand experience of dementia. Jurors included 2023 Senior Australian of the Year Tom Calma and dementia care expert Stephen Judd.
Entrants must be multidisciplinary design teams led by an Australian architect or graduate of an Australian-accredited architectural program.
Entries will be accepted until December 15, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. By the end of April 2024, Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells will announce the victors.
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