Luxury retirement living designed to facilitate a joyful and active ageing journey.
BLP have worked closely with Baptcare to design a luxury boutique retirement living apartment complex in Macleod, complete with beautifully appointed community facilities.
Project Name: Baptcare Strathalan Integrated Community
Studio Name: Billard Leece Partnership
Project size: 7500 m2
Completion date: 2021
Building levels: 4
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Photography: Christine Francis
Luxury retirement living designed to facilitate a joyful and active ageing journey.
BLP have 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 our proposed vision and design for the site, we were further engaged to redesign the existing Schematic Design for Stage 2 & 3 of the Strathalan Integrated Community redevelopment, comprising 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.
We 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 the ability to be able to lock up and leave if they choose to. – Emily Gilfillan | Principal & Seniors Living + Communities Sector Leader
In aligning with a key briefing requirement of Baptcare, the community facilities and residences are designed 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. The 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.
“It’s about collective wellbeing, with residents coming together and having those opportunities to socialise in a space that’s just theirs. This community helps them achieve that.”
The heritage homestead, originally built in 1911, has been 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 vill units.
