Scalabrini
A provider of care in aged care and seniors living with a strong Italian heritage, Scalabrini is a not-for-profit organisation in Sydney.
About
With a strong reputation centred in their philosophy: Sono Io (This is Me), this ideal places the individual first, giving people choice, control, dignity and respect.
In 2014, Scalabrini were in the early stages of developing concepts for a site in inner-west Sydney. This opportunity led to a close working relationship with members of their Capital Works team to bring ideas to fruition. Over the next few years, the development would blossom into a flagship project for both organisations – The Village by Scalabrini in Drummoyne, NSW.
Since then, opportunities have emerged for strategic advice on other Scalabrini sites, ranging from high level feasibility studies to alterations and additions.
Allambie Heights Alterations & Additions
The challenge was improving communal amenity on an existing site while applying dementia-specific lessons learned from The Village, Drummoyne. The existing configuration restricted resident movement throughout the facility and wayfinding was not intuitive. Additional community facilities were required to suit the broad range of accommodation provided on the extensive landscaped grounds.
Higher elements add character to the low-level built form. A porte cochère was introduced, leading to a covered arcade with tall timber portal frames brightly lit by high-level clerestory windows.
An arcade at one of the site reception acts as an introduction to spaces designed to be recognisable for its designated activity. Creating a clear and more civic structure to the site, a library has books, a hair salon has cutting chairs, a potting shed has tools.
An additional wing of twenty new bedrooms and ensuites sits adjacent to these spaces, presenting a contemporary and domestic feel. The grounds feature shaded seating areas, leisurely walking paths and intimate gardens for family gatherings.
The Village by Scalabrini
The Village is located on the former Drummoyne Boys High School site. The new residential buildings surround a central piazza in similar form and scale to the original four-storey school and playground, maintaining a respectful scale in a suburban setting.
Aspiring to be Australia’s most advanced home for people living with dementia, both the built form and the clinical management of The Village exemplify this achievement. Physical elements include unique doors for each bedroom for identification, with corner sliding doors enabling good sightlines and accessibility into the ensuite.
At least half of the 150 residents who call The Village home are of Italian heritage. This culture is embedded into the facility, allowing opportunities of presenting a best-practice approach to dementia care. Wings are known as casas, and residents have access to a nonna’s kitchen, pizzeria and gelateria off the piazza – as well as a cinema, chapel, hair salon and chicken run.
Media:
- Not For Profit Scalabrini opens the doors on its new Sydney facility – offering luxury apartments for couples to stay with partners [The Weekly Source, July 2018].
- The Australian town that has transformed into a ‘dementia-friendly’ community (The Village referenced by Professor Richard Fleming within article). [SBS News, May 2019].
- Innovation in design to tackle rising dementia challenge. [Aged Care Guide, 2019].
- New technology in aged care. [Channel Nine News, June 2018].
Winner – Best Aged Care Facility Award, 2018 Australian Healthcare Week
Finalist – Best Silver Architecture (In Construction) Award, 2018 Eldercare Innovation Awards
