DESIGN


pathway leads to a safe and meaningful destination, said Fuggle. She added: “The application of this modular solution could


be very broad. “We see particular advantages in rural areas, on live sites,


and in areas where population needs may change, as the cottages can be moved or expanded. “The potential of being able to operationalise a service in


less than half the time of a traditionally-constructed scheme will be very appealing.” Also in New South Wales, not far from the Modular Cottage,


is the newly-created Desert Rose House, a mock facility that uses technology and design to improve quality of life for people living with dementia. The brainchild of students from the University of Wollongong;


it has been designed to be a net-zero-energy facility and is based on a set of design principles developed by dementia expert, Professor Richard Fleming, director of the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Dementia Training Study Centre and a professor of science, medicine and health at the university. “The design aims to change the way the world views


homes for the elderly, with a house that is architecturally inspiring, celebrates life, and demonstrates a facility that is adaptable to an ageing person’s needs,” said project manager, Clayton McDowell.


“The potential of being able


to operationalise a service in less than half the time of a traditionally-constructed scheme will be very appealing.”


RELIEVING STRESS Design features include digital taps with lights reminding occupants to wash their hands; temperature controls to prevent scalding; voice-activated lights, mobile control of appliances, automatic temperature control, and wide doors. The ‘line of sight’ design also makes navigation easier, with the main spaces visible from other positions in the building. Like in the Modular Cottage, toilets are also visible from


beds, with research showing this design means people with dementia are eight times more likely to use the toilet if they wake up, so reducing incontinence. Doorways, halls and each room are big enough to


accommodate a wheelchair or walker and bedrooms have been designed to enable hospital beds to fit in. In addition, structural wall frames come with additional


framework at heights where handrails can be fixed and timber flooring and custom-designed timber doors enable a flush surface that avoids any trips hazards. To reduce the environment impact of the home, solar energy


is the only source of power, with other sustainable features including energy prediction and a control system using weather information and power prices to predict energy storage.


www.hammond.com.au


mhdf magazine


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