“Innovation a top pick in village”

West Australian, New Homes, 31st October 2009

With innovative layouts, generous proportions and quality fittings and finishes, Dale Alcock Homes’ range of detached homes for over-55s at the Lattitude Lakelands retirement village is the Special Purpose Housing Project of the Year.

The judges embraced the concept of high quality, resort-style living provided at the village, almost 200 predominantly free standing, double-brick homes will be built for Peet senior living.

The homes are arranged in attractive streetscapes in a landscaped setting with communal facilities including a swimming pool, club rooms, sports bar, library and gymnasium. Village residents can choose from nine home designs, with a range of front elevations, interior design features and varied materials, and a mix of two or three bedroom layouts with study, open-plan living and dining area, two bathrooms, integrated outdoor living space and garage with storage and workshop space.

The judges were impressed by the quality of design and construction of individual units in the complex, with optional variations of layouts, size and colour schemes.

“External design elements were co-ordinated for a certain level of individualism while achieving cohesive and complementary streetscapes visible throughout many areas of the village,” They said.

“Dwelling designs incorporated good levels of solar-design principles plus elements of universal design – including wide traffic areas for ease of movement.”

The Huntly floor plan is displayed at the village with one of four optional revelations, combining half brick and half-render façade, colorbond roof, central porch and double garage below a flat gable. The front entry opens to a separate entry, with a door from the garage on the right, opposite the study or third bedroom, which had two slim windows facing the street and enough floor space for a desk and a bed for visiting grandchildren. Further along the broad thoroughfare, the sending bedroom is bigger, with a three-door built-in robe spanning one wall and ample floor space for a double or queen-sized bed.

Peet senior living general manager Stephen Kenney said having bigger minor bedrooms was an important aspect of the designs of these units, as many occupants use these rooms for hobbies or to accommodate visiting friends or grandchildren.

Opposite the second bedroom, the second bedroom is light and spacious, designed to allow for wheelchair access and including an outsized shower stall and deep postformed vanity with overhanging basin.

At the back of the home, the open-plan living area, dining room and kitchen are bigger than expected for retirement housing, with windows positioned to capitalise on natural light without sacrificing privacy.

The kitchen is also spacious, with plenty of bench and storage space.