Summerset in the Orchard showcased in Singapore

Summerset in the Orchard showcased in Singapore

A new design and build approach at Summerset in the Orchard retirement village has been showcased in Singapore.

Norah Barlow, chief executive of Summerset Retirement Villages, told international business leaders how Summerset’s alliance with Lifemark, the building’s sector’s equivalent to Tourism New Zealand’s Qualmark, has helped ensure the success of the development.

The Summerset in the Orchard development was one of the first retirement villages in New Zealand to receive the Lifemark. Homes awarded the Lifemark have 33 design features including a level entry, widened doors and passageways, all aimed at making the house accessible for everyone and easy to adapt as residents’ needs change over time.

Ms Barlow said the Lifemark seal of approval for Summerset in the Orchard illustrated the importance of design for retirement villages.

“Summerset in the Orchard incorporates all the Lifemark features and our residents are enjoying their safe, secure, healthy and inclusive homes. As conference delegates look at ways of developing homes and aged care facilities in Asia for ageing baby boomers, they only need to look at Summerset in the Orchard for inspiration.”

“Useable and functional design doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful. Design excellence is all about achieving both. The smart, usable, functional and practical features are integrated into the design that you don’t even notice the difference. It just works.

“We have the peace of mind that we don’t need to continue spending money on modifications for new residents. We were also very conscious that our designs need to work for people from 55 to 95 and older. In other words it must be easy to adapt as people’s needs and wishes change.”

Viv Maidaborn, chair of the Lifemark Board, said New Zealanders were increasingly demanding that homes were welcome for all people, regardless of age or circumstances.

“Our alliance with Summerset represents a tremendous vote of confidence in Lifemark, which is now an accepted seal of approval awarded to homes designed to be used, or adapted for use, by people of all ages and abilities.

“New Zealand’s ageing population means that there are even more people living even longer than previous generations. Many of New Zealand’s homes and communities are not designed to cope with the changing needs of the population.”

ENDS