Stockland’s Macarthur Gardens village in the heart of Campbelltown, south-west Sydney, is on track to be New South Wales’ most livable retirement living development.
Adhering to livable design principles, Macarthur Gardens is the first retirement living project in the state to seek certification for its design from Livable House Australia (LHA).
The retirement village is set within 10 hectares of landscaped parks and gardens. Stage One of the nine-stage development was completed in 2011, and has incorporated a range of easy living features outlined in the Livable Housing Design Guidelines.
Created in partnership with industry and government, LHA’s Livable Housing Guidelines outline 16 features that make homes easier to access, navigate and live in.
They also detail ways to make a home more cost-effective to adapt to life’s changing circumstances.
According to LHA, a quarter ofAustralians will be over 65 by 2050, with the demand for retirement living expected to increase as older Australians seek affordable and accessible housing options that still enable them to remain within their communities.
To date, 145 villas in the Macarthur Gardens Retirement Village have been completed, with a further 119 scheduled for completion by 2016.
“We design our retirement living villas with real people in mind. This means creating homes that are not only functional and practical, but are great spaces to live,” says Sophie Pickett-Heaps, Stockland Retirement Living National Design Manager.
“Many of the principles outlined in the Guidelines – such as having a generous entry or bathroom on the ground floor – are lifting the bar on good design and making a difference to the everyday lives of residents.”
Images: www.seniorshousingonline.com.au
