Design challenge proves connectedness and sharing key to longevity as we age

30 Apr 2020

Senior living as we know it has retired thanks to the designers, innovators, planners and seniors that gathered together to rethink the future of community living as part of the Longevity by Design charrette, hosted by UQ and DMA Engineers.

In its inaugural debut, the charrette brought together thought leaders and professionals across a broad range of industries involved in designing for longevity, to build on the foundations of  UQ's Healthy Ageing Initiative.

UQ's Director of the Healthy Ageing Initiative, Professor Laurie Buys, said the charrette has come at a time when we’re at a crossroads where we can decide whether Australia’s ageing population is a burden or an opportunity.

“The reason this charrette was so important is because the ageing population is, in fact, an opportunity – and this was an opportunity to challenge the assumptions that aren’t necessarily true anymore,” Professor Buys said.

“Older people are thinking and acting very differently than ever before and we know that future generations of older people will have very high expectations about maintaining their engaged lifestyles.

“The charrette was an opportunity to come together and work with people from different disciplines, but most importantly with industry who are thinking differently, to challenge the way we see, design, and create change.

“The biggest challenge for senior living design is how we think. There are many fundamental structures that need to be changed, but really what’s holding us back is our imagination and our willingness to challenge the assumptions and create a different future.”

You can read the full article on the Architecture & Design website

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