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Design Day to Shape Future of Residential Care

on Monday, May 20, 2019

People of all ages and abilities were asked to have their say on the future of residential care at a Design Day at Hope Valley in Adelaide last week.

ACH Group sought input into interior design choices for the ViTA development at Healthia, a new restorative health and wellness precinct in northern Adelaide.

A broad range of people, including older and younger people, health professionals, COTA representatives, residents and volunteers took part in the day.

Customer Care Major Project Manager Louise Watson said the research would be used to shape choices in design at the new development, which will include a mixture of 90 care places, accommodation for a variety of care options, along with a range of health providers, disability and community services, education and training to be co-located at the site.

“Rather than a standard prescriptive approach, we are asking customers to collaborate with us and tell us what’s needed. We asked people to try out a range of chairs, tables and other furniture and to provide a rating on comfort, practicality and appearance, and give opinions on colour schemes and furniture coverings.”

People had the opportunity to meet and speak with an architect from WoodsBagot, the South Australian architecture firm appointed to carry out the designs. A range of colour palettes, renders of ViTA at Healthia development and artists’ impressions were on display, along with ‘props’ to replicate real experiences.

“We had people reading a newspaper in a chair, knitting, and sitting with a ‘grandchild’ to share a story, then letting us know what the most practical and comfortable options were. This was a fantastic opportunity for people to share their insights and have input as part of a larger design project.”

The Design Day is the second phase of a co-design process that began last year when ACH Group engaged COTA SA, through its Plug-in initiative, to shape the precinct and services and products offers.

For that phase, the Plug-in engaged with more than 250 people from the Cities of Playford and Salisbury, including individuals, families, students, carers, disability groups, members of the LGBTQI and Cambodian communities.

Key findings from the initial engagement included calls for freedom of choice, independence and connection to the community. The findings will be used to guide building design principles and expectations.

Healthia is dedicated health and wellbeing precinct to sit alongside the Lyell McEwin Hospital, bringing together residential, restorative and other health and support services for people aged 50 and over and younger people with a disability.

Find out more about ACH Group.

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