The future of retirement village living

A retiree thinking of downsizing today might not know how their new home should look, but they are crystal clear on what that residence should do for them. And market-leading retirement village operators and developers are capitalising on this clarity. The brief begins and ends with lifestyle.

Exercising choice, keeping physically and mentally fit, and accepting minimal compromise on the lives they have become accustomed to in early retirement drives much of the decision making around the crucial next step to sell or move out of the family home. And a recent convergence of two retirement village typologies further evidences why operators and architects ignore this trend at their peril.

Lessons from the convergence

Once different in aesthetics and general layout, the many shared characteristics between Broad Acre Retirement Villages (BRVs) and Land Lease Communities (LLCs) shows the market really does decide. Both are popular alternatives for those attracted to non-metropolitan living and, while their financial models remain distinct, the designs and master planning of such communities are more similar than ever before. Today’s leading LLCs no longer resemble caravan parks, with dwellings now indistinguishable from many conventional homes. And for market-leading BRVs, significant design focus is paid to lifestyle choice, with easy access to a broad range of amenities. Community centres no longer resemble sparsely furnished multipurpose rooms. These zones can now offer cinemas. Lounge areas cater to varying accessibility requirements and social grouping sizes, and BRVs are offering ever-expanding options in food and beverage outlets on site.

Driving better design

Working closely with trusted architects, today’s savvy operators are creatively rethinking master plans to differentiate their products and cater specifically to emerging market demands. Of course, there are no blank cheque books. But experienced designers know the kinds of interventions that drive sales and waiting lists. Adaptable residential floor plans that can enable the delivery of higher personal care support is just one example of a strategy that offers additional comfort as residents age. Architecture that prioritises stimulation, connection with others and support for more physical pursuits makes for a more compelling lifestyle proposition. Coupled with improved accessibility design, these villages can scaffold both residents and operators as individual needs increase, and avoid premature reliance on the aged care system.

At Foreground, we know that age-friendly design must be addressed in both obvious and subtle ways. Better accessibility means outdoor seating positioned at shorter intervals, conveniently located public toilets, and appropriate signage and visual cues for improved wayfinding. But the lifeless, miniature suburbs of old are no longer appropriate. To draw together like-minded people and improve personal agency as our communities age, we must learn from existing market shifts and give the people what they want.

Image courtesy Royal Freemasons Ltd.