Innovative design graces Armstrong Creek

A GROUND-BREAKING display home thoughtfully designed for people with a disability proudly showcased at Armstrong Creek last week.

A collaborative project between genU, Burbank Homes and Villawood Properties, the threebedroom dwelling has been fitted with advanced technologies to support people with special needs to live as independently as possible.

The display home features an electronically adjustable kitchen, electrically operated blinds and windows; and a fully accessible main bedroom with ceiling hoist system.

Villawood Properties executive director Rory Costelloe said the innovative display home sets a new precedent for the way disability housing is designed, marketed and sold in Australia.

“This display home has been built in collaboration with genU and Burbank Homes with the primary objective of making the process of building a home much more accessible for homebuyers of all abilities,” Mr Costelloe said.

“In time, we hope to see more homes that cater to a range of needs enter the market, so that people with varying abilities have greater choice providing independence and accessibility when building their dream home.”

The $800,000 project was underpinned by two objectives – to normalise disability housing in mainstream residential areas and to provide people with a disability the opportunity to view the housing in a display home setting.

With the capacity to accommodate three people, the home also features a separate suite to host a full-time carer.

Burbank Homes national general manager Louis Sultan said the building company was excited to see the project come to fruition.

“Burbank is thrilled to be a part of such an important initiative,” Mr Sultan said.

“We’ve not designed anything like this in the past which makes this endeavour extra special. The process involved close collaboration with the team at St Laurence, who provided a sketch plan which we used as the basis for the design.

“We then worked to create a floorplan that met the brief while complying with all regulatory requirements.”

In a bid to normalise disability housing in the area, the home has been based next to smaller properties on an easy to access street.

Luke Donnellan, Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, attended the home’s official launch alongside project stakeholders.

The home is located at Unity Drive as part of the Armstrong Mt Duneed display village.