Design for retirement living

Compiled by Pari Syal

Photography: David Whittaker;courtesy v2com

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Newcombe Design Group’s approach to retirement living aims at bringing back the love for living in the not-so-young and able-bodied. Salut! 

The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) has honoured Toronto’s Newcombe Design Associates with an Award of Merit for the 12,500 m², stand-alone, owner-operated, 12,542 sq. m. retirement residence, The Williamsburg Uptown, completed in May 2014 in Burlington, Ontario.

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With architecture by Michael Spaziani Architect Inc, 94 independent living suites and 23 assisted living suites provide a much-needed option for an ageing population, in a facility that would go beyond the typical household model to establish a new standard of excellence in the market.

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One of Canada’s leaders in healthcare design, for nearly 25 years, designers Newcombe Design Associates’ is known for expertise in meeting the complex needs of people with perceptual, cognitive and mobility challenges, as well as in-depth knowledge of the wide range of products that meet the specialized needs of healthcare facilities. Here, they ensure that every aspect of the interiors would elevate the residents’ quality of life and contribute to a strong sense of community. 

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Another Newcombe goal has been to overcome what is often a stumbling block for seniors, who have left their old neighbourhood for an unfamiliar way of living: a tendency towards isolation. Their planning and design has established an in-building neighbourhood, with easy to maneuver, simple to understand navigation, encouraging and facilitating social interaction. In fact, Williamsburg has proven to be a genuine and fast-growing community, with the residents actively enjoying every amenity.

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In the words of Judy Newcombe, Principal, “Our attention to detail was vitally important in bringing the owners’ vision to life, creating the hospitality, warmth, and up scale comfort that they hoped to provide their residents.” She continues, “For example, one of the key objectives was to foster residents’ independence and sense of control over their own lives. The owner knew that offering a variety of venues, where residents can dine at their leisure would contribute to such feelings. We knew that by creating a variety of dining styles with the range of seating options not typically used in retirement residences, but in high-end resorts or hotels, we could enhance them further.”