Challenging architects and designers to reimagine the future of aged care homes

The Australian Government has today launched a design ideas competition to test the draft National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, developed to help aged care homes better meet the needs of residents.

The Hon Anika Wells MP
Minister for Aged Care
Minister for Sport

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The Albanese Government has today launched a design ideas competition to test the draft National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, developed to help aged care homes better meet the needs of residents.

The competition, Reimagining Where We Live, challenges architects and interior designers to come up with innovative ideas when applying the Principles and Guidelines.

The competition will include two sites – one metropolitan and one regional – with teams invited to enter designs for one or both. For each site, a first prize of $50,000 and second prize of $20,000 is available.

The aim of the Principles and Guidelines is to help providers make practical changes to aged care homes and support older people to live meaningful lives in safe environments that promote independence, function and a sense of belonging.

The competition is endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

Entries will be accepted until 12pm (noon) AEDT on 15 December 2023. For more information visit https://www.health.gov.au/reimagining-where-we-live

The draft Principles and Guidelines were released for feedback on 6 September 2023, following extensive consultation with older people, their families and carers.

They will be introduced from 1 July 2024.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells:

“Design has the potential to vastly improve quality of life for older people living in aged care homes – as well as the working environments of the people who care for them.

“To achieve this, design must be grounded in the experiences of people who live in aged care homes and evidence for how best to mitigate the challenges that lead them to seek residential care.

“The Government wants to encourage flexibility and innovation in aged care accommodation design and support emerging technologies to better meet the need of future generations.

“This competition will test the new draft National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines, released by the Australian Government in September 2023.”

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