Creating living spaces for New Zealand’s seniors
A custom loop carpet tile by GH Commercial was used in the fireside lounge within the Residents’ Lodge at Arrowtown Lifestyle Village.
Materials that offer slip-resistance, sound-absorption and have hygienic properties are critical in senior living facilities such as Arrowtown Lifestyle Village.
One of the residences at the Arrowtown Lifestyle Village. The village consists of premium villas, townhouses and Residents’ Lodge.
High-quality wool carpets from GH Commercial provide natural warmth and comfort within the residences.
Water-resistant laminate or engineered timber flooring options deliver durability, style, and low-maintenance benefits in living rooms.
The deluxe cinema facility features a luxurious plaid-patterned woven carpet, with its wool and synthetic fibre blend ensuring resilience.
Partner content: An aging population drives New Zealand’s senior living growth, creating demand for safe, comfortable, and easy-to-maintain flooring.
New Zealand’s senior living sector is undergoing rapid transformation as the population ages, driving significant growth in retirement villages and aged care facilities. Over the past decade, retirement units have surged by 71%, with 37,489 units now accommodating nearly 49,000 residents. This demand is only set to increase, with projections calling for an additional 24,000 units by 2033.1
For architects and designers, this presents an exciting opportunity to create spaces that balance function and aesthetics, with flooring playing a crucial role. Selecting materials that offer slip-resistance is key for safety, particularly in environments where residents use walkers or wheelchairs. Acoustic control is another essential aspect; materials with sound-absorbing qualities like carpet tiles or cushioned vinyl can help maintain a calm atmosphere. Lastly, hygiene is critical in senior living facilities, so easy-to-clean flooring options offer practical solutions to keep spaces healthy and low-maintenance.
A Project Overview - Arrowtown Lifestyle Village
The Arrowtown Lifestyle Village represents a significant commitment to creating a vibrant community designed for the comfort and wellbeing of its residents. Encompassing approximately 100 villas, 30 premium townhouses, and future assisted living apartments, and residential aged care facilities, this expansive development aims to enhance the quality of life for its residents while integrating seamlessly into its stunning alpine surroundings. Central to this initiative is the recently completed 1400m² Residents’ Lodge, which serves as the social heart of the village.
in collaboration with A Plus Design, enhanced the village’s interiors with versatile flooring solutions tailored to different spaces. In the fireside lounge — an inviting haven for relaxation and conversation — GH Commercial worked closely with Mohawk Group in the USA to develop a custom textured patterned loop carpet tile. This design evokes a warm, homey ambience with a heathered, multi-coloured appearance while ensuring exceptional durability and resistance to fading, accommodating the high foot traffic and expansive windows characteristic of the area. The integration of Duracolor® premium nylon ensures the carpet remains stain-resistant, while its modular format allows for easy maintenance, all while radiating a cozy residential charm.
The private cinema features a luxurious woven carpet that adds comfort and elegance, with wool and synthetic fibre blend ensuring resilience. For the residences, high-quality wool carpets provide natural warmth, complemented by water-resistant laminate or engineered timber flooring options that deliver durability, style, and low-maintenance benefits for everyday living. With solutions ranging from soft to hard surfaces — such as NZ wool, timber, carpet tiles, and bespoke woven carpets — GH Commercial offers comprehensive flooring solutions for every space in the village.
This content has been created with support from GH Commercial. ArchitectureNow works with a range of partners in the A&D supply sector to create and/or source appropriate content for this website and Architecture NZ magazine.
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References
1. (2022, July 12). ‘Media Release: JLL NZ Retirement Villages & Aged Care Report Highlights Decade of Remarkable Growth’. Network. (Accessed June 19, 2024); and (2024, Aug 28) ‘Retirement Villages Market Review 2024’. JLL.
