Designing for a stay-at-home ageing population

The term “ageing in place” has been coined to describe the use of design techniques to allow older people to continue living comfortably in their homes as they age. Anthony Windust, director of Windust Architects x Interiors, discusses his research and philosophies on the topic.

“Our interest in ageing in place first started in 2013 when a repeat client asked us to fit out the lower level/basement area of their existing 1850s bluestone terrace house in west Melbourne,” says Windust.

“The client, a couple in their 80s, were intent on continuing to live in their house and in their community. Part of the arrangement was that the couple’s son and his family would move into the two levels above, housing an extended family over three levels without the cost of buying an additional property, or going into a nursing home.”

“We are finding that a number of our clients and property owners are wanting to remain living in their neighbourhoods. They have grown up or raised families in their preferred locations. They have a circle of acquaintances and friends, and these are the lifeblood of a good community. There are also clear economic reasons for ageing in place.”

Windust’s research is both “poetic” and “pragmatic”.

“The poetic is an extension of our main design philosophy to provide spaces that are ‘a joy to inhabit’,” explains Windust.

“What is it about a space that provides such an experience? In answering this question, we look at the human needs for social connection, community, privacy, natural light and visual interest.”

“The pragmatic research includes establishing guidelines on how to manoeuvre within spaces as we grow older: eliminating steps and tripping hazards, providing enough space in bedrooms and bathrooms to allow free movement, having things that are bold and easy to read/easy to touch, and of course handrails, larger type handles and automation.”

A perfect example of these theories put into practice is one of the firm’s most recent projects, Grand Pavilion.

Grand Pavilion is a built solution; a “shed” in the rear yard to serve as a resort of privacy and independence. Meanwhile, a series of intermediate spaces were created between the existing house and the shed where the clients could come together and spend time with family and friends.

It’s a small but flexible space. Fully glazed walls create a connection with the outside world, while a curved plan, flying eave and concrete breeze block wall combine to create spaces with a good flow of circulation and different levels of privacy and/or interaction.

“The actual spaces required for ageing in place are key to having a functioning building in the future, and this is best addressed early on in sketch design, and reviewed throughout the design and documentation process,” says Windust.

“For our Grand Pavilion project, while we addressed the functional requirements of present and future mobility, the key to the longevity of the project was more to do with the couple’s relationship and how they wished to live together and independently into the future.”

Of course, the way ageing in place takes shape will vary from project to project, influenced by factors such as the quality of the existing spaces and how they might be used over time.

According to Windust, a space designed for ageing in place will integrate the pragmatic elements into the overall design so they blend in seamlessly, rather than looking like they’ve been tacked on after-the-fact.

“Research suggests that our senior people not only prefer spaces that enable independence, but that also appear enlivening,” adds Windust.