The winner is Feros Village Bangalow
Aged Care Association Australia 2008 Building award – Renovated Building Category:
Feros Village Bangalow was constructed in 1997 to accommodate 30 high-care beds (including a 10 bed special care unit) without a master plan and view for future growth. In 2001, a low-budget 15 bed extension occurred to bring the total bed numbers offered to 45 high without adequate allowances for support service upgrades.
Feros Care decided that in order for the village to be viable it had to:
- Accommodate a minimum of 64 beds including options for double occupancy.
- Expand and upgrade support, administration and common space areas.
- More effectively and efficiently utilise available land space.
- Offer a luxurious extra service option unique to the region.
- De-institutionalise the village and mirror the regions resort/retreat lifestyle.
- Apply the Eden Alternative to design-thinking and transform the facility into a living and healthy community environment.
- Create an atmosphere that maximises opportunities for companionship and participation, reflection and retreat.
- Give the whole village a “face-lift” that would complement the ‘endenisation’ process and impress.
- Create a marketable point of difference in both design and service options.
In 2005, Fulton Trotter Architects were appointed to realise the above design brief.
Jennene Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of Feros Care said “many of the newer residential aged care facilities have moved away from large centralised dining and activity areas, to a number of smaller independent living and dining areas within a facility. When we visited these facilities, it felt like there was less sens of community and opportunity for resident socialisation”.
“The Feros Village Bangalow project created four 16 bed communities; but maintained a centralised dining area with additional, servery and activities areas. This area has become a beautiful, vibrant and busy community hub that residents and families love to spend time in. We have found that there is a 50% plus increase in attendance at meals and activities. We have also found an increase in resident’s choosing to stay in these areas in the afternoon and evening rather than returning to their rooms”.
For more information: Feros Village Bangalow project page