Shaping communities where every person is cherished
We elevate the human experience in everything we do. This is our mission for everyone who inhabits the spaces we create. In the context of caring for our aging population, the quality of the human experience is paramount to the enduring success of any facility.
Baptcare came to Venko to provide a fresh perspective for the revitalisation of their 100 bed, Hedley Sutton, aged care facility in Camberwell. The site encompasses the Heritage Listed Mansion, built in 1880 and the existing modern extension. At the time of our appointment the facility was looking quite tired. Venko were engaged as Principal Consultant to undertake urgent Essential Rectification works, develop a new Masterplan for the facility and assist with preparation of a Business Case for presentation to the board.
The facility consisted of:
- 100 residential aged care (RAC) beds
- 38 retirement living (RL) Independent living apartments (ILA’s)
- A community centre
Figure 1 Site Plan
The focus of the masterplan was on the refurbishment of the Residential Aged Care. Key drivers for the project were to increase the Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RAD’s) by providing more premium Residential Aged Care (RAC) products to meet market expectations, this included potentially introducing Assisted Living Accommodation.
Figure 2 Blocking Plan
Key Areas to Address
- Providing a ‘sense of arrival’
- Improved car parking
- Repositioning of the Main Entry
- Replanning to ensure best positioning of various staff offices and facilities
- Improving the visual identity of the Café to create an impression similar to a cafe within the Camberwell community
- Inclusion of a library
- Repurpose areas and create a more open plan layout
- New appropriate furniture, furnishings, flooring, lighting, joinery
- New outdoor furniture
The refurbishment plan also encompassed refreshing the cosmetic appearance and functionality of the kitchenettes, main kitchen, laundry, nurses’ stations, chapel & hairdresser. Refurbishment and upgrades to resident rooms throughout the facility was also included.
Delivery Success
Recognising the risks and critical success factors for this project, Venko appointed Siscon Projects to our team. Siscon led the team in all aspects of delivery, management of the sub-consultant team, assisting in preparation of the Business Case and ensuring successful delivery, in partnership with Venko, of the project. This strategic decision allowed our design team to focus on what they do best and provided our client with the confidence that the entire team was working towards a shared goal. The success of the partnership between Venko & Siscon Projects has been demonstrated on more than one occasion, and our clients benefit from the complimentary and shared skills both businesses bring to the relationship.
We selected our sub consultant team for their specific experience working within the constraints of existing buildings. Of equal importance though, was their shared commitment to providing our clients with a team they can trust. Venko’s reputation is founded on a desire to put ‘people first’ and to champion the relationships that are the driver of our success. It is this approach that remains the foundation of who we are today. We are extremely proud that clients who choose to trust in us the first time, stay with us for the future.
“You vindicated our decision to appoint you for this challenging project.”
Ray Bongiorno, Executive General Manager Property, Baptcare.
Shaping the Masterplan
Venko’s Masterplan shapes an experience of a relaxed and inviting community atmosphere. Our skill lies in using the built form to intentionally shape spaces that build community. We are people focused and ensure that each element of the design contributes to an elevated end user experience. Experts working within the constraints of an existing building, our design planning maximises space utilisation. There is an elegance required in balancing conceptual design & aspirational goals against the importance that design decisions are also revenue generating and provide a return on investment. Venko understood that the design outcomes must be socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.
” Venko understood that the design outcomes must be socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.”
Tina Berardi, Director, Venko
A theme of native Australian flora is overlaid on the design aesthetic and a focus placed on bringing the natural environment into the facility. Venko’s design broadens opportunities for connection to the courtyards and garden spaces. Our design for a unique Sensory garden looks to engage sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. For residents with Dementia, these elements have the potential to engage and expand the quality of life in ways that are tangible. The garden provides a calming environment and space to share with visitors and family. Our design planning also included Dementia Sensitive interiors that considers concepts such as ‘memory lane’, resident personalisation, planned familiarity and tailored wayfinding visual cues.
The Business Case
Venko worked closely with Baptcare, Siscon and our wider consultant team on a variety of comprehensive studies, reviews & assessments in establishing the basis for the final recommendation to the board.
These included:
- Comprehensive site assessment
- Extensive stakeholder briefing with both senior stakeholders and staff working within the facility
- Market competitor analysis
- Industry benchmarking
- Assessment of corporate strategy alignment for the project
- Project risk assessment
- Facility compliance assessment and proposed design response
- Facility & operational assessments which enabled us to develop conceptual plan options that maximised space utilisation, improved workflow, incorporated new ‘working’ environments and increased residency
- Building services engineering assessments & recommendations
- Quantity Surveyor cost analysis & cost plan
- Project programming & staging plans
The business case was presented to the Baptcare Board in 2020 and the recommendations accepted during 2021. While delivery of the recommendations stalled due to the climate within the Aged Care sector at the time, the project has recently been re-instated with an increased scope.