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Promoted by PGS Invest

Rarely does one shift from being able-bodied to disabled in a single day. With over 50% of 75-year-olds experiencing some form of injury, proactive strategies can significantly enhance their quality of life. 

Chanel Slijderink, Development Manager for the Abadi Gaia Adult Residential Village, emphasizes the importance of addressing these gradual impairments. "While new projects adhere to building codes with physical support mechanisms like ramps, motifs, and rails, very few consider strategies to mitigate impairments," she explains. "This is a challenging yet rewarding market sector." 

Chanel's vision for the future is both innovative and refreshing. "We find that passive design initiatives are highly effective in creating environments that encourage engagement. Our goal is to craft physical and social spaces that invite residents to interact with their community and surroundings, boosting both mental and physical well-being." 

"Imagine walking to a friend’s house 200 meters away. In most developments, you'd follow a standard path with minimal variation. Our philosophy is different. We design for 'pause moments' every 30 seconds, offering residents multiple sensory experiences—sight, texture, scent, feel, mood, sound, and colour. The primary experience is our 'core journey,' while additional variations cater to the resident’s mood and intention." 

"For example, we plant region-specific flowers, vary topographic heights and grades, adjust garden bed depths, and control shadowing for temperature and visual effects. Surfaces transition from grass to timber, stone, and concrete. We incorporate ornaments, flags, and wind chimes to engage the mind. These elements blend seamlessly, creating an ever-evolving journey." 

Early consideration of design features simplifies implementation. "Stairs, for instance, don’t have to be a challenge. Our residents have used stairs their entire lives. By lowering stair height and increasing depth, we ensure easier transitions, maintaining normality rather than evoking a sense of 'cannot,' a common issue in many age-sensitive developments." 

"Our project embodies a 'do more' attitude rather than a 'do less' approach for retirees," Chanel asserts. "This means going above and beyond to enhance their experience." 

"We address sensory seeking and avoidance, facilitating an engaging journey rather than dictating an outcome. This encourages repeated use, as residents continually discover new elements—deliberate, leading to new experiences and activities. It's about enabling the enabler." 

The retirement sector is experiencing dramatic changes in the lifestyle residents demand as baby boomers begin making the move into retirement villages. The result is an evolving development landscape with new design ideas being implemented to accommodate the demand.  

Image: Canva