The competition
In this competition, we invited architects and designers to help shape the aged care accommodation of the future.
We asked competition entrants to test the draft National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines by using them to design innovative aged care homes that are welcoming, safe, accessible and dementia-friendly, and that consider small-home models.
There was a strong response to the competition and the draft Principles and Guidelines were well received by the design teams. We thank all entrants for participating in the competition and providing high-quality submissions.
Entries were judged by an expert jury with diverse experiences in architecture, design, and aged care. The jury also received valuable feedback on the shortlisted designs from six advisers who are living with dementia.
We thank the jury, lived experience advisers, organising committee and our professional adviser, Ms Annabelle Pegrum AM LFRAIA, for generously contributing their time and expertise to the competition. We also thank the Australian Institute of Architects and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects for endorsing and promoting this important initiative.
Why we ran the competition
We need to reimagine the aged care system to better meet the needs of our ageing population. Good design can support older people to live with dignity, respect and enjoyment and improve working environments for aged care workers.
We need flexible and innovative design solutions that provide living environments where residents have privacy and control, a sense of belonging, and connections to family, friends and the community.
Find out more about the background to the competition.
Find the competition brief and other documents in competition resources.
Video transcript will be published shortly.
Jury and adviser comments
Hear from the jury and lived experience advisers about what good design should look and feel like, why we need Design Principles and Guidelines, and how the competition is challenging the future of aged care design.
Contact
Email us with any questions about the competition.