The benefits of a co- and re- design approach to addressing Australia’s ageing apartments have been highlighted in the March/April issue of Architecture Australia.
In a dossier within the issue, Sandra Loschke and Hazel Easthope examine the potential of redesigning Australia’s aging apartments. Over two million Australians live in apartments, a fifth of which are 60 or older or have a mobility related disability. The location and amenity of apartment blocks is a significant asset for residents, but many no longer suit the current inhabitants. Loschke and Easthope argue that engaging residents in the redesign of their buildings via an architect led co-design process could facilitate mutually beneficial user engagement and agency, and achieve substantial social, environmental and economic transformation in the housing sector.
The special issue Designing for Dignity: Beyond Compliance, Towards Empathy is curated by guest editors Maryam Gusheh and Catherine Murphy. They urge the profession to focus more attention on upgrading Australia’s existing housing to reflect the diverse needs of households.
Please click here to read the article in full.
Originally published in Architecture Australia March/April 2022 –architectureau.com/magazines/architecture-australia/
