Sector moves away from ‘clinical’ look

Aged care facilities will look less “hospital-like” and exude more of a “hotel ambience”, Campbell Luscombe Architects director, Leo Campbell, tells DPS News.

The New South Wales company received positive international recognition for its work in the aged care sector after being named ‘Most Outstanding Architect in Over 50s Housing’ in the Global Over 50s Housing Healthcare Awards in London late last year.

More than 1,260 developers, operators and managers from 102 countries were evaluated for the 20 awards at the Global Over 50s Housing HealthCare Awards.

Mr Campbell says one of the first things an architect needs to produce is something which says “this is a quality development and it has to have a certain comfortable memory”.

“The truth is a residential aged care facility is never going to be classified as home; however, we have sought out other models on non-clinical habitations and we’ve done it successfully,” he says.

Campbell Luscombe Architects, who has a range of not-for-profit clients, specialises in aged care and retirement living housing.

“In aged care, most of our clients are the more forward thinking not-for-profits and are very into what is happening now while opting for a look which does not have a clinical interior.

“In retirement living, we produce buildings that have a heavy look, as well as high-rises. However, although we have been involved in the luxury retirement living market, I believe there won’t be many rich people.

“The baby boomers are another 10 years away, and I suspect there will be a limit to the super-luxury range of retirement living housing,” he adds.

Do you work in aged care and agree the sector is moving away from the ‘clinical’ hospital-like look? Share your thoughts by commenting in the box below.