For varied and complex reasons, many adults choose to move between the ages of 55 and 75. Government policy can further support older Australians to have choices of 'places' to live in that maximise their ability to retain independence.

Various assessment tools are available to assist designers, developers and regulatory bodies to reduce the negative impacts of contemporary multi-housing subdivision projects in industrialized countries. These tools vary considerably in what and how they measure and how the measurement results are presented and interpreted. This paper is largely a desktop study of subdivision assessment tools developed in Australasia, Great Britain and the United States of America. The paper identified a variety of themes and sub-themes that support assessment tools at both the project design phase and the project operational phase. These themes and sub-themes revolve around one or more of the three pillars of sustainability—namely the environmental, economical and social pillars. The paper firstly compares the themes and sub-themes of the assessment tools and then relates those themes to a set of sustainability targets produced for a proposed inner suburban housing subdivision in Perth, Western Australia

This paper examines the design of typical new houses in Western Australia to determine if the designs are taking into account the needs of older adults. Older adults who move to a new suburban house are generally 'pulled' to move by the perceived benefits of the new home. A sample of new homes in the 'New Homes' weekly supplement of the West Australian Newspaper was reviewed and analysed to determine what emphasis had been given to designing houses that could be adapted to the needs of older adults. The findings indicate that there has been no change in the project home market between 2005 and 2007 in relation to considering the diversity in age and ability of prospective home occupants and that older people commissioning new homes do not appear to be demanding that the homes be designed on universal design principles.

Curtin Environment Awareness Team (CEAT) is a group of volunteers at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Western Australia, who work together to promote awareness, activities and information dissemination related to sustainable use of the university campus. In 2003 an attempt was made to integrate a CEAT concern relating to a declining habitat for bird and animal life around a campus lake, with an undergraduate problem-based design project in the School of Architecture. After the students' work was completed, CEAT reviewed the projects and selected three schemes for possible inclusion in the program of capital works for the campus. CEAT members and students were surveyed after the design project was completed. The survey results indicated that CEAT members considered that student involvement enhanced the quality, scope and likely implementation of the project. The student survey results indicated that this project raised their awareness of the complexity of addressing sustainable use of the campus and identified the potential influence of architect designed projects on the natural environment. However, in spite of formal acknowledgement of the value of the project by the Vice Chancellor of the university, there was no indication that the university plans to move from the current ad hoc approach towards sustainability either in the management of the campus or in the core teaching programs. Crown

Aim: The objective of this article is to identify and analyze what is known about characteristics in and around the home that support well-being for those with cognitive impairment. This could provide direction for designers of homes in general, but specifically for designers trying to meet the needs of people with cognitive impairment. Background: It has been established that there is a relationship between psychological well-being and a person’s environment. Research also shows that particular design aspects can reduce the impact of cognitive impairment. However, there is limited design expertise in the Australian housing market to create supportive spaces which will help to reduce the impact of the disability for those with cognitive impairment. Method: A literature review was carried out to determine the extent and details of what is known about the relationship of home design and its impact on emotional, psychological, or social well-being for people with cognitive impairment. Conclusions: The study indicates that researchers in various disciplines understand that pragmatic design inputs such as thermal comfort and adequate lighting are important for people with cognitive impairment. In addition, some researchers have shown or surmise that there are other “intangible” designer-controlled elements that have beneficial impacts on people with cognitive impairment. Details of these intangible elements are sparse, and how much they might improve the quality of life for a person with cognitive impairment is not well understood. Further research is required to meet a growing need.

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