SwanCare’s newest residential aged care facility Ningana has been designed as a unique ‘flexible’ living space and will incorporate the latest design principles in dementia-specific aged care, according to not-for-profit SwanCare’s CEO Graham Francis.
The project’s lead architect Dominic Snellgrove of Cameron Chrisholm Nicol says the 124 bed building has been designed to present more like a resort or a residential building than an aged care home.
Dominic explains “the most important thing when designing an aged care facility is to make sure that it’s easy to navigate around the building, that it’s not confusing, that there’s ample light and natural ventilation and the ability for the space to feel as comfortable and home-like as possible.”
The design takes a whole-of-building approach to dementia care. Rooms are clustered into groups of eight to ten – sharing dining, living and kitchenette areas – with a protected winter garden allowing access to the outdoors.
Decorative screens will also be installed to allow staff to maintain visual connection with residents without comprising their privacy or the homeliness of the living spaces.
Located in Bentley – 20 minutes from Perth – it will be completed late this year.
