Macquarie Lodge

Macquarie Lodge is a flagship project for the Salvation Army’s Eastern Australian Territory residential aged care service. It is the first stage of site redevelopment around the heritage-listed Victorian residence, Dapeto Villa. The design provides modern suburban residential aged care accommodation in a way which enhances the retention of Dapeto and increases its significance both to the site occupants and the surrounding community. Site planning preserves the visual prominence of the house. The new building is undeniably modern while respecting the proximity and detail of the Victorian house.

Macquarie Lodge provides predominantly single bedrooms with ensuites for 90 elderly residents with high care needs. It meets or exceeds the relevant residential aged care certification standards. The main entry level, Level 2, includes main reception, administration and a 22-bed dementia-specific unit complete with its own secure courtyards and terraces. The remaining two levels are high-care residential accommodation. The lower ground level includes laundry, kitchen and service areas together with parking. Attention has been paid to passive energy conservation measures, including window orientation and sun shading relevant to the orientation of each façade. Roof rainwater is harvested for re-use in the laundry.

Landscaping in the area immediately surrounding Dapeto reflects Victorian garden design elements so as to complement the old house. The remaining areas employ contemporary planting in keeping with the need for larger-scale areas to be low-maintenance and easily accessible to residents. Ramped pathways are fully integrated into the landscaping plan.

Materials have been selected for durability, low maintenance and compatibility with both the neighbouring cottage development and Dapeto Villa. At entry level, adjacent to Dapeto, the new building features brick walls designed to blend with Dapeto’s very attractive light mottled brickwork. Ensuite projections from the façade are clad in a pre-finished system in reference to traditional painted weatherboard common to the area’s residential architecture.