Challenge

Vasey Housing as a ‘not for profit’ organisation engaged WMK to design their first vertical retirement village in Waitara. Providing 117 dwellings the design focuses on building a strong and resilient community, with a clearly articulated organisation of internal and external amenities. The challenge was to allow for increased living amenity within tight site constraints and provide a distinct building design, within an area in transition from low scale housing to higher density apartment living.

Solution

WMK inherited a Stage 1 envelope control dictating the buildings massing and communal open space orientation. Our first move was to re-orientate the building to maximise sunlight to the courtyard terrace, a move fully supported by the client and authority. Then using an efficient floorplan and structural layout, the twelve-storey village focused on the needs of a senior living resident environment and flexible community uses including lounges, a resident bar and cafe, gymnasium and cinema facilities as well as hair dressing and bookable work rooms, to allow for individual and group activities, building a sustainable community.

Outcome

Working closely with Vasey, the solution designed by WMK provides a retirement living environment with appropriate communal amenities, understanding the resident demographic and different independent and social needs and requirements.

Kokoda has won the UDIA NSW Awards for Excellence in Retirement Living and the PCA National Retirement Living Award  

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