Set on a sloping site, this 132-bed facility is a showpiece of contemporary retirement living.

From an original brief that required only 120 beds, our team were able to re-imagine the opportunities afforded by the site and increase the overall yield as well as provide added social spaces and resident amenities.

The challenging site was beset by both horizontal and vertical movement issues that required a high level of design resolution. The design gradually steps up the slope, maximising views over Geelong, with ‘fingers’ radiating from a central spine that allow maximum natural light and winter sun penetration, all leading to a striking 3-storey façade that presents an easily identifiable character to the street-frontage.

The design also had to contend with masses of established vegetation on the site, including mature sugar gum trees throughout. Our design embraced these elements, making the landscape a feature of the facility and channelling the significant overland flows and storm water from neighbouring sites for secondary use and aesthetics.