This mesmerising shot reminds us to always explore our curiosity. Children have a beautiful way of doing just that, seeing the world in a magical, extraordinary way.
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We love working with colour and texture particularly when you find that perfect paint shade! Paint can be such a simple way to change things up and this calming Dulux Light Leaf green is perfect for lifting the mood in these mid winter days.
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I don't know if it is because I am getting older but I am astonished that 6 months has flown by and we are about to enter the second half of the year - which I know is going to be as jam packed and as exciting as the first half.
We have just had our delightful client Maria from Hong Kong visit our office with her wonderful team. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to show them several aged care facilities as well as some of our WA hospitality.
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Rails assist with balance, support and transfers so the selecting the right product for your needs as well ensuring compliance with standards such as AS1428 is important. There are different types and applications….
Horizontal rails are effective for side transfers from wheelchairs onto toilets and can provide some forearm support during sit to stand transfers whereas the vertical or angled rails provide support throughout the sit to stand transfer. Often both are present. Either horizontal or vertical can be installed in showers depending on need and position of any existing fixtures.
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Getting excited about handrails is not generally something I would normally do! However, a new product called Ensafe has definitely caught my attention.
Ensuites are normally dominated by stainless steel grab rails that look cold, institutional and resemble a hospital. Residential care facilities need to feel warm, friendly and inviting and the one area we find very difficult to achieve this is in the bathrooms. So you can imagine how thrilled we were to find a new product that has just been released called Ensafe.
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We know that glare from windows is a major problem for residents. You would imagine this could be easily fixed by fitting sheers or window treatments. However, what if the glare was coming from a fire door at the end of a corridor and you are not allowed to cover the door? What are your options?
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Ethereal scattered light at dusk can influence our mood and wellbeing. These moments of beauty are sometimes overlooked but can be a reminder for us to take a time to capture the moment and breathe it all in.
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I can’t believe where this year has gone. May has been a busy month with a trip to Singapore to attend the APAC awards and the Ageing Asia conference. Sadly we didn’t win this time but it was still wonderful that our work at Amaroo was shortlisted for an Asia Pacific Award.
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We have all experienced the uncomfortable or even debilitating effects of glare. Too often we step out of a darker house into the bright outdoors or we are driving to reach the top of a hill or crest and get blinded by the full sun! Glare is a visual sensation caused by too much brightness and can be termed disability glare or discomfort glare.
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As another Anzac Day passes by its a reminder to us all to take a moment to reflect.
Capturing our imaginations during this time is of course the red poppy a tribute to those who have served and a symbol to many of hope and regeneration in the face of loss.
Whilst visiting the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show I came across a supplier called ModBOX. They supply a fantastic range of self watered raised garden beds called Wicking. The garden beds have a water reservoir that sits below the level of the soil.
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April so far has been a month of celebrations and also our National Day of Remembrance. This month I celebrated a birthday, not a milestone (I’m still 28!) and of course we have just had a public holiday for Anzac Day.
Erin headed off to Spain for a walk of a lifetime across the Camino Trail so if any of you have been wondering about Erin’s footwear the past month you will now understand why the boots have been necessary!
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We learnt about the basic senses (sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch), internal senses (such as kinaesthetic, equilibrium, pressure, stretch) and some controversial ones such as passing of time and premonition in part one. The impact of ageing on these senses continued the theme in part two. We conclude in part three to show you how designing for the senses becomes so important!
Older people experience changes to vision, colour recognition and perception so you need to consider furniture and flooring selections accordingly.
It was an absolute pleasure to attend the Regis Aged Care, Woodlands Grand opening last week in the lead up to the official April 9th opening.
Serving a sensational menu accompanied with songs sung by the local Holy Rosary School the night was a huge success and a fabulous way to celebrate the efforts of all those involved!
Congratulations Regis on another fantastic opening!
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March is the start of autumn and this year we celebrate Easter in March. One of the symbols of autumn is comfort and therefore a time to create serene and snug spaces and environments that keep you safe and warm. Of course what could be better than sitting in a cosy snug chair enjoying the symbol for Easter, Chocolate!!
Now is an excellent time to start looking at your current interiors and think about what you can introduce and enhance within your spaces to create a comfortable environment for your residents. Do your lounge areas need a refresh? Do they feel snug and inviting? What can you introduce to make it a space where you want to spend time?
Visiting the Marimekko Exhibit anytime soon? You are in for a treat!
Being immersed in the wonderful bold and bright patterns reflective of the Marimekko signature style showcased a fantastic evolution of the Marimekko brand hosted at Victoria’s Bendigo Art Gallery. This particular piece 'Siirtolapuutarha' was a personal favourite for it's intricate detail and fine form.
The exhibition is a true delight and one which leaves you empowered and inspired!
All of the eye structures change with ageing. By the time you turn 60, your pupils may decrease to about one third of the size they were when you were 20. The pupils may react more slowly in response to darkness or bright light. The lens becomes yellowed, less flexible, and slightly cloudy.
The sharpness of your vision gradually declines with difficulty focusing on close-up objects. Glare is tolerated less and you have trouble adapting to darkness or bright light. Older people have reduced peripheral vision and experience difficulties differentiating colours – particularly blues.
Read on to find out what else changes as we age!
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Yes acoustics again!! Acoustics is becoming the major issue in many residential aged care facilities.
Quite often we are unaware of how the sound environment impacts on everyone’s well-being. A bad acoustic environment can lead to difficulties in hearing causing feelings of pressure, irritation and anger for both resident and staff leading to the risk of conflict, error and overall stress.
So why are we not doing more about it?
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We believe Kinetic Art is an important component in designing aged care environments both inside and outside. Often the high care needs of residents in aged care means that many are no longer mobile, therefore, how can we create an environment that is more interesting and stimulating? Kinetic Art has the potential to create new and more interactive relationships with the viewer and new visual experiences. We all observe movement so it makes sense to look at objects that move.
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As designers we often find it helpful to look at things from a new perspective. Our incredible Hyde Park is a great example shot by @liamfboland. We can't help but be mesmerised by it's beauty, our own little Central Park. It's a reminder to us all to take a moment to reflect, look up and experience the world around us.
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