By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Commenting Policy.
Accept
Brisbane DevelopmentBrisbane DevelopmentBrisbane Development
  • Areas
    • Brisbane CBD
    • Northern
    • Southern
    • Eastern
    • Western
    • Gold Coast
    • Sunshine Coast
  • Search by Type
    • Residential
    • Residential BTR
    • Commercial
    • Hotel & Resort
    • Brisbane Retail
    • Entertainment / Leisure
    • Infrastructure
    • Concepts
    • Industrial
  • SEQ Development Maps
    • Brisbane Development Map
    • Gold Coast Development Map
  • Major Precincts
    • Brisbane Airport
    • Brisbane 2032 Olympics
    • Northshore Hamilton
    • Queen’s Wharf Precinct
    • Waterfront Brisbane
    • Woolloongabba / Brisbane Live Precinct
Search
  • Advertise
© 2025 Brisbane Development Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved
Reading: “Ageing friendly design” the next frontier in urban design
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Brisbane DevelopmentBrisbane Development
  • Areas
  • Search by Type
  • SEQ Development Maps
  • Major Precincts
Search
  • Areas
    • Brisbane CBD
    • Northern
    • Southern
    • Eastern
    • Western
    • Gold Coast
    • Sunshine Coast
  • Search by Type
    • Residential
    • Residential BTR
    • Commercial
    • Hotel & Resort
    • Brisbane Retail
    • Entertainment / Leisure
    • Infrastructure
    • Concepts
    • Industrial
  • SEQ Development Maps
    • Brisbane Development Map
    • Gold Coast Development Map
  • Major Precincts
    • Brisbane Airport
    • Brisbane 2032 Olympics
    • Northshore Hamilton
    • Queen’s Wharf Precinct
    • Waterfront Brisbane
    • Woolloongabba / Brisbane Live Precinct
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2024 Brisbane Development Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved
Brisbane Development > Project Type > Concepts > “Ageing friendly design” the next frontier in urban design
Concepts

“Ageing friendly design” the next frontier in urban design

Published: 6 June 2016
1 Comment
Share
5 Min Read
Artist's impression of external building
SHARE

Incorporating design elements that increase the living standard for those with cognitive impairment is a huge challenge for architects and urban designers as the industry searches for new ways to incorporate ageing friendly design principles, according to a leading Brisbane architect.

Marchese Partners Brisbane Principal Frank Ehrenberg—who has attended a three-day masterclass at one of the world’s leading authorities on ageing and dementia, the University of Stirling—said the shift in mindset toward new design features becoming commonplace was something that could not be ignored.

“As a population we are living longer and we know many of us will face some form of cognitive impairment as we age,” Mr Ehrenberg said.

“We know multiple colours in floor tiles can appear to someone with cognitive impairment to be a hole in the floor, so design is ensuring floors are uniform and easier to navigate.

Advertisement

“Legibility is also very important so we design rooms that are easy to navigate so people can quickly locate things like bathroom facilities.

“Similarly when we design outdoor spaces we may create gardens that form a loop, ensuring residents can go for a walk and easily find their way back to their starting point.

Artist's impression
Artist’s impression

“Even the treatment of light and sound is critical. During waking hours lights need to be bright enough to account for declining eyesight, but at night it is important to eliminate as much light as possible to ensure restful sleep.

“We also know unusual sounds such as alarms and buzzers can be confusing to people with cognitive impairment, so these sounds need to be kept to an absolute minimum.”

Advertisement

Mr Ehrenberg said the attitude toward ageing friendly design was similar to that of disability design 40 years ago and it was time all new projects were designed and constructed with these features front of mind.

“A few decades ago we started becoming aware we had to design spaces that considered people with mobility impairment and now every new building has equitable access incorporated into the design,” Mr Ehrenberg said.

“In the same way that we now include ramps and lifts as a matter of course for people with mobility difficulties, we need to design spaces that consider cognitive difficulties as well.”

Mr Ehrenberg said the real challenge for architects and designers was to integrate these principles into new buildings without drawing attention to them.

Advertisement

“No one wants to think about their mind not functioning as well as it used to, just as no one wants to think about the possibility that one day they may not be as mobile,” he said.

Artist's impression
Artist’s impression

“We still need to focus on designing attractive spaces that people want to live in, but we mustn’t shy away from the realities of ageing.

“Designing with ageing in mind means people can live independently for longer. It means couples can stay together longer, even if one of them begins to experience some cognitive decline.

“The result is a seniors living environment that ensures operations are efficient and functional and the innovative aesthetics are obvious and at the forefront.

“We incorporate quality and attention to detail to create spaces that people enjoy working in, visiting with and, most importantly, living in. M Ehrenberg said connectivity with community, friends and family was the key and Marchese capitalised on these aspects by creating friendly public spaces and meeting places that engender a village atmosphere.

“To provide the individual choices residents desire we provide understated luxury across the spectrum of sun-drenched living spaces from apartments and independent living units through to warm and welcoming aged and health care models,” he said.

“Ultimately it is about improving quality of life for everyone. It needs to become the rule, not the exception.”

Mode Unveils Twisting Green Bridge Concept for Toowong to West End
PRAX Studio Unveils Conceptual Vision for Toombul Shopping Centre
Architectus’ Bold Vision for Roma Street Precinct
The Greens unveil masterplan vision for Woolloongabba Cross River Rail site
Bicycle Queensland urges government adopt pop-up CBD bikeways
TAGGED:agearchitecturedesignEhrenbergfriendlyMarchesePartners

Sign Up to BD Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking development news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Commenting Policy and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print
Share
What do you think?
Love0
Happy0
Surprise0
Sad0
Angry0
Previous Article Aria’s 82 Storey 171 Edward Street Approved
Next Article 232 Wellington Road, Kangaroo Point
1 Comment
  • Pingback: 3vanishing

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

13kFollowersLike
2kFollowersFollow
6.2kFollowersFollow
3.2kSubscribersSubscribe
LinkedInFollow
Advertisement

Latest News

Architectural rendering showing the façade detail and curved balcony forms of The Carter
Mosaic’s Second Kangaroo Point Project Secures $205M in Pre-Sales
Eastern Featured Residential
11 July 2025
Architectural rendering of the proposed Chester & Morse development showing dual tower form.
Frasers Lodges Design Change for Chester & Morse Towers in Newstead
Featured Northern Residential
6 July 2025
Architectural rendering of the external built form of the proposed Symphony project
Sherpa Unveils ‘Symphony’, a 27-Storey Tower for Cordelia Street
4101 - South Bank, South Brisbane, West End Featured Residential Southern
4 July 2025
Location of the proposed Brisbane Live Arena (left) and conceptual rendering of the original Arena at old Roma Street location
Brisbane Live Construction at Woolloongabba Could Commence by End of 2026
Brisbane 2032 Olympics Entertainment / Leisure Featured Woolloongabba / Brisbane Live Precinct
4 July 2025

Polls

Select two infrastructure projects needed most ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
  • Polls Archive
//

Brisbane’s leading source of free development and infrastructure news reporting across the greater Brisbane area.

Quick Link

  • ADVERTISE WITH USNew
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COMMENTING POLICY
  • CONTACT US
  • MY BOOKMARK

Top Categories

  • BRISBANE DEVELOPMENT MAP
  • BRISBANE CBD
  • QUEEN’S WHARF
  • BRISBANE 2032 OLYMPICS
  • SMART GROWTH SERIES

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Brisbane DevelopmentBrisbane Development
Follow US
© 2025 Brisbane Development Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved
Join Us!
Subscribe to the BrisbaneDevelopment.com newsletter and never miss our latest news.
Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.