At MKDC, we follow a best-practice design philosophy for aged-care environments. As active members of ACSA, LASA, and other professional industry bodies, we continually expand our expertise in aged care standards and regulations.
Our team applies this knowledge to create safe, functional, and resident-focused aged care spaces that meet regulatory requirements while enhancing comfort, independence and wellbeing.
Learn more about how we deliver industry-compliant aged care solutions and address the unique needs of residents, families, and staff in the categories below:
At MKDC, we have extensive experience in conducting feasibility studies for aged care facilities, supporting proposals for refurbishments or extensions. We work closely with providers to develop business cases for refurbishment projects, based on thorough analysis of facility capacity, bed numbers, staffing requirements, and Models of Care.
Our team also guides providers through the ACAR application process and assists with work that supports successful applications for Higher Accommodation Supplements (HAS). With a broad portfolio of experience across multiple care facilities, we help leadership teams maximise their properties to deliver high-quality, resident-focused care.
Whether you are planning a refurbishment, expansion, or optimisation of your aged care facility, MKDC provides expert support to ensure your project meets industry standards and enhances operational efficiency. Learn more about our aged care projects here.
Designing for dementia is an ever-evolving practice, informed by ongoing research and evolving best practices. By understanding the unique symptoms experienced by each individual, the impact on families, and the behaviours that can emerge, we approach dementia care design with empathy and evidence-based insights.
We prioritise creating environments that support normality and seamless integration. This includes designing intuitive navigational cues, incorporating Liveable Housing Standards, and planning spaces to accommodate mobility assistance. The goal is to ensure that residents can move confidently and safely while preserving independence and dignity.
Our approach enables a smooth transition for members of our community into homes that provide support, comfort, and safety, delivering therapeutic, dementia-friendly environments that enhance quality of life for residents and their families.
Co-design (or co-creation) is the process of authentic, collaborative engagement with our clients and their key stakeholders. This approach enables us to anticipate the future needs of the people who will inhabit the space, helping refine project briefs and inform design decisions for aged care facilities.
A co-design methodology encourages innovation and builds trust, fostering a strong partnership between our team and clients. This collaborative process ensures that:
Every opportunity to optimise spatial efficiency is explored through a deeper understanding of operational and resident needs.
Complex design challenges are identified and addressed in detail.
Clear communication and confidence in decision-making are established throughout the project.
At the heart of our approach is a commitment to truly understand your requirements. By engaging stakeholders and challenging assumptions, we ensure that the design of care environments aligns with your goals, enhances functionality, and supports residents’ independence, wellbeing, and safety.
The Liveable Housing Standards, introduced in 2017, provide a set of guidelines to inform the design of residential properties that are safe, accessible, and adaptable for people of all abilities. These standards aim to create liveable homes that are easy to navigate, spatially accommodating, and designed to support residents across different life stages.
Through extensive work with the disability and aged care sectors, the Liveable Housing Standards have become a benchmark for accessible and inclusive residential design, promoting equality and independence for all residents. By embracing the principle of ageing in place, these standards enable people to maintain their independence and live comfortably in environments that adapt to their needs over time.
An example of this approach in practice is Brightwater Odyssey, designed by MKDC, which was the first apartment building in Western Australia to achieve Gold-level certification under the Liveable Housing Standards. This project demonstrates our expertise in creating therapeutic, accessible, and resident-focused living environments that meet both regulatory and community expectations.
In 2019, the Department of Health initiated the first round of national funding for Specialist Dementia Care Units (SDCUs). MKDC partnered with Brightwater Care Group to establish a prototype Specialist Dementia Care Program in Western Australia.
The SDCP delivers specialist care for clients living with severe dementia, including those with complex behaviours that make mainstream residential care unsuitable. Its goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment that enhances quality of life and supports behavioural management.
Designing these units requires evidence-based dementia design, with carefully planned functionality to ensure both resident and staff safety. MKDC assisted Brightwater by preparing the business case for federal funding and by conducting a benchmarking study tour of similar facilities in the Eastern states, ensuring the project met national best-practice standards for dementia care.
At MKDC, we maintain up-to-date knowledge of Aged Care Federal and State guidelines and standards, reflecting our commitment to best practice in residential aged care design. Since the introduction of the Aged Care Quality Standards in mid-2019, these standards have been integral to our approach when designing new facilities or refurbishing existing ones.
Our aged care environments are designed to ensure full compliance, providing therapeutic and supportive spaces that align with each client’s Model of Care while meeting the requirements of the Quality Standards. This ensures residents receive environments that are safe, functional, and responsive to their needs, while also supporting staff in delivering high-quality care.
