7 / 24
regular meals, or receiving visitors,
and checking for irregularities. This
information is then fed to a relative or
healthcare provider.
Innovations like these are not with-
out challenges. Not least the privacy
issues involved in using surveillance
techniques for care giving and crucially
the need for a reliable back-up system
in case something goes wrong.
AGING BUILDINGS
Many of our towns and cities have
an aging building stock. How can
we protect our architectural heritage
and make these safe and comfortable
places for an aging population to live?
“There’s heritage that needs to be
respected 100 percent and you do
that and you also do a careful retrofit,”
says Heenan. “But generally speaking
we have to be less precious about our
building stock and realize we can’t
make museums out of everything. We
need to give these old buildings a new
lease on life.
“There’s a lot of interesting work
being done, but there’s an awful lot
more to do,” believes Heenan. “If we
get it right and help older people to
feel happier, more productive, and
more relevant then the contribution
they can give back to the community
is unlimited.”
n
Allen Jack+Cottier Architects
integrate ecologically sustainable
design principles in all their projects,
including residences for older
people. At Cardinal Freeman Village
in Sydney, Australia, the architects
incorporated photovoltaic cells which
offset 100 percent of energy used
in all common areas that require
24-hour artificial light, heating,
and cooling. Individual apartments
have their own energy meter to
assist monitoring and management.
Energy efficient glass has been used
throughout the new build, reducing
energy costs and improving comfort.
At the Miranda Residential Care
Facility, also in Sydney, thermal
chimneys reduce reliance on
conditioned air while improving
natural light and ventilation. Roof
mounted photovoltaic cells offset
house services power in common
areas.
On urban architecture
Australia
19.6% to 28.9%
United States
19.1% to 26.6%
India
from 8% to 19.1%
SOURCE:
Global Age
Watch
Index 2013
Moran Sylvania aged care facility in Sydney.
PHOTOs Istock
PEOPLE FLOW |
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