Competition launched to test design guidelines
A design ideas competition to test the draft aged care design principles and guidelines launched Wednesday.
A competition to test the draft aged care design principles and guidelines launched Wednesday.
The competition – Reimagining where we live – challenges architects and interior designers to come up with innovative ideas when applying the principles and guidelines to aged care settings.
“This competition will test the new draft National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, released by the Australian Government in September 2023,” said Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells in a statement.
She added: “The government wants to encourage flexibility and innovation in aged care accommodation design and support emerging technologies to better meet the need of future generations.”
Two sites feature in the competition – one metropolitan and one regional – with teams invited to enter designs for one or both. A first prize of $50,000 is available for each site; there’s also a second prize of $20,000.
“Design has the potential to vastly improve quality of life for older people living in aged care homes – as well as the working environments of the people who care for them,” said Ms Wells. “To achieve this, design must be grounded in the experiences of people who live in aged care homes and evidence for how best to mitigate the challenges that lead them to seek residential care.”
Competition entries will be accepted until midday AEDT on 15 December 2023.
The aim of the design principles and guidelines is to help providers make practical changes to aged care homes and support older people to live meaningful lives in safe environments that promote independence, function and a sense of belonging.
They will be introduced from 1 July 2024.
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