Old Beach TAS: Coastal Retirement Living | Prefabricated Community Homes
- Josh Dickerson
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
Category: Commercial | Type: Retirement Living | Location: Old Beach TAS
On the rolling hills of Hobart, we worked with the client to develop a masterplan, staged subdivision, infrastructure plan and array of unit designs for this magnificent retirement living community.
Our depth of construction experience allowed us to design a variety of home modules for purchasers to choose from, all of which could be pre-fabricated and craned onto site - reducing construction times & costs, and ensuring sustainable building practices.
The Brief
Creation of a retirement community with independent living units focussed on limiting construction costs.
Design Elements
Masterplanning
Our staged planning and lot design allowed for the gradual expansion of the facilities and homes without excessive upfront infrastructure costs.
Aspect
Given the undulating terrain, lots were configured to each have an aspect to the rolling hills or seaside, with minimal site excavation or retaining wall works – allowing each unit to have their own view and character.
Prefabrication
Designs were specifically configured to allow for pre-fabrication and transport to site – saving time and reducing construction costs.
Sustainability
The life cycle and carbon footprint of buildings extends beyond the building itself. Careful consideration of design elements, materials and construction methodology allowed for a sustainable design.
Behind The Façade
Prefabrication
Prefabrication of buildings requires careful design consideration. In collaborating with the client, engineers and builders, we achieved a range of designs to suit various lots that could all be transported to site and erected within a single day.
Approvals
Larger projects with protracted timeframes present a challenge from an approvals perspective, with Planning and Building codes changing over the course of the project. Consistent and open dialogue with Responsible Authorities was a key aspect to consistency in this project delivery.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
This project involved an array of stakeholders, each with varying aims and goals. Our role as architects was to coordinate and manage the entire process to ensure the clients aims were achieved at every stage of the process. Working with Councils, Building Surveyors, Engineers, Land Surveyors, Builders and Buyers.
