Gulf Rise is the first of a new generation of Metlifecare retirement villages with award-winning architecture, beautiful blossom-lined streets, and spacious, light-filled villas and apartments.
Award-winning consultants in landscape architecture and more, Boffa Miskell's Emma Todd and Pete Whiting joined the Gulf Rise project in 2017. Todd handled the master planning and concept design for the overall village before moving onto the detailed design for Precinct One.
Boffa Miskell used good urban design principles to rethink the institutional style of retirement villages, creating a village that is more than the sum of its parts, integrates with the local community, and enhances the residents' experience.
Whiting described these villages as more communal than institutional in their design and operation.
"Apartment and townhouse living rather than rest home," he expressed.
"This is senior 'living' - not a parking space."
The outdoor spaces reflect the more active lifestyles and interests of the residents, with incorporated flexible spaces which allow for a range of activities.
Boffa Miskell created a chain of connected spaces that provide a social heart, opportunities for interaction with friends and family, corridors for wildlife including birds and butterflies, areas for families to participate in nature-led activities.
These activities include vegetable and herb gardens, hothouse flower and vegetable gardens, propagating flowers, butterfly walks, intergenerational activities like a reading circle, balance beams and boulder climbing, and a fitness trail for gentle walking or a steeper hill climb.
Seniors exercise parks are popular overseas, particularly in Asia and Europe. Whiting said these are discussed more often now, and Todd hopes Boffa Miskell will include senior exercise parks in their future designs.
Food production gardens are trending, and communal planting areas and Boffa Miskell encourages this trend in its projects.
"We include these opportunities in most villages now and tailoring the design of communal spaces to suit the particular location and identity of that particular village," said Todd.
"We've got raised vegetable/cut flower beds, orchard areas, glasshouses, sheds and beehives," Whiting added.
"We're also promoting village markets with the potential of opening these up to the public."
They've had several resident workshops to determine what they want versus the traditional view of aged care landscapes.
"They have been very clear," said Whiting.
"Lots of garden space and paths, but not so many fragrant flowers. Seating and pergolas where needed and with something to look at, not just to fill a space. Bring back the birds, butterflies and bees, save water and reuse materials. They also don't want or need a bowling green taking up space if there is a club nearby."
