Page 13 - Healthcare + Aged Care

Healthcare & Aged Care

At Studio Design + Architecture we are currently the hospital is alongside and healthcare becomes an
working on Healthcare projects where we have worked important requirement.
extensively with a Health Planner on the brief for the
layout, equipment and facilities and have then taken So retirement housing needs to be designed with
this and overlaid our design and architecture. We fully this in mind as not all people need full time care and
design these facilities using Revit and have been most they may choose to receive care in their home and
recently using dRofus which is a very useful planning, remain in the Village community. This then means that
data management and BIM collaboration tool. planning and design including finishes and fittings
need to take into account that there may be walkers
Healthcare design involves creating patient-focused used, wheelchair access required, that dementia might
spaces that are both affordable and aspirational with affect some, so enough space, way finding and texture
the goal of improving patient outcome, enhancing and colour is very important.
visitor experience, looking after staff needs, and
Some of the real issues in ageing communities are
creating healthier communities.
mental health, depression and loneliness. Creating
It is becoming common in New Zealand to design an active social environment that encourages people
retirement apartments and houses alongside a private to interact helps to manage these issues. We have
care hospital. It seems that people are finding comfort used our skills in planning, hospitality and residential
in moving to a retirement village while they are fit and design to create a community spaces for residents with
well because they find it secure and social and they lounges, bar areas, cafe areas, even a cinema, wellness
feel part of a community. If their situation changes, rooms, yoga rooms, craft rooms in these projects.