Abbeyfield House

This project was a joint venture between Abbeyfield Australia and the Department of Human Services (Office of Housing).

Harmer Architecture worked with local community representatives of Abbeyfield and the DHS to develop a design for independent living for the elderly and mildly disabled in a 10 bedroom home which includes a single bedroom unit for the house manager.

The objective of the design was to provide the model of a residential home in a residential area to house local people and managed by local people in the Melton community.

Abbeyfield House West Melton comprises a single main entry front door leading to a formal living room and central kitchen with family room dining area where residents are encouraged to help the live in housekeeper prepare meals, set the table and tidy up, 10 resident bedrooms in two 5 bed wings connected to the central living areas in a traditional residential configuration. Each resident’s room has an ensuite bathroom, a window seat, and a door leading to an external sheltered seating area looking into the house garden.

The kitchen family area overlooks the comings and goings of the front entry area and the street whilst the formal living area and the bedrooms overlook more private perimeter garden areas.