Located on the Victoria and New South Wales border, aged care home Bupa Wodonga, prides itself on actively supporting and promoting resident independence and individuality in a relaxed atmosphere while maintaining the highest level of care at all times.
At the end of 2009, Bupa embarked on building a new 115-bed facility at Wodonga, and engaged the design and fit-out services of B2 Property Solutions.
“We specialise in the design of aged care and retirement living, and had previously completed a number of Greenfield and renovation projects for Bupa. As a result, we had a good knowledge of the goals and challenges faced for the new home,” said Kate Bereford-Banks, designer at B2 Property Solutions.
“Every design of an aged care home must be carefully contemplated and planned to ensure it is elderly friendly, and at the same time the elements need to come together as a whole to provide a warm and comforting atmosphere.”
One of the design challenges for this facility was to use commercial finishes that didn’t look institutional, yet still delivered on the demanding performance requirements and durability – all while being within the project budget.
Having worked with The Laminex Group products for more than 20 years, B2 Property Solutions knew its portfolio of surface solutions would meet the aesthetic, functional and cost requirements for specific spaces throughout the home.
“Compared to other suppliers, Laminex and Formica product offers a lot more options for colour, board and finishes. But more than that, the reps that we deal with are knowledgeable and work with us to provide cost-effective solutions,” Kate explained.
While the need for durable and low maintenance surfaces was essential, B2 Property Solutions looked beyond function when selecting products from the Laminex and Formica ranges.
“Decorative surfaces have the ability to create an environment, through texture and colours. Therefore, in designing a space that would be warm and inviting, our choice of colours and finishes was just as important as the level of functionality,” Kate said
Laminex Laminate in Husk from the Laminex Colour Palette was chosen for its natural linear design for wardrobe doors and the head and foot of 30 beds.
Laminex Squareform benchtops Pure Mineral Salt and Brook Pebble inspired contemporary style for the reception area, staff kitchens, desktops and vanities in more than 80 bathrooms.
“For this project, safe edging was a priority because we knew that residents would be exposed to the benchtops. Laminex Squareform benchtops with softly rounded square edges were the ideal solution,” says Kate.
The benchtops also provided underside drip-grooves to channel water spillage away from the surface and kitchen cupboards, avoiding messes.
Coordinating with the benchtops, Laminex ColourTech painted doors were selected for the cabinetry, with the colonial arch achieving a traditional, familiar ambience. The doors are coated in a technologically advanced 2 Pac polyurethane paint, meeting the project’s easy clean requirements, and were used for cabinetry within the domestic kitchen.
Formica decorated board in Warm White was used for shelving in linen cupboards, while Formica decorated board in Doe Skin was applied as bedheads for 30 beds and another 90 beds have Laminex decorated board in Oyster Linea as head and foot boards.
Since its completion in November 2011, the project was shortlisted as a finalist in the 2012 Australian Interior Designs Awards (AIDA) – an achievement General Manager of Marketing for The Laminex Group, George Bej, believes is a tribute to its forward-thinking design approach.
“We are proud to have helped create a space that exceeds design expectations and inspires the home’s residents. The new building makes use of the latest innovative surface solutions from Laminex and Formica to maximise functionality, durability and aesthetic appeal – which is exactly what they are designed to do,” said George.
