Aged Care Design and Construction - Event
Cynthia Payne
Founder & MD | Age Services Specialist | Certified Chair | Speaker/MC | Business Mentor & Coach | Certified Yoga Teacher | Certified TMS Practitioner
Total Construction & Deicke Richards Co-Host Event: Driving Innovation and Collaboration in Aged Care Design and Construction
On Jul 31, 2025, Total Construction and Deicke Richards proudly co-hosted a groundbreaking event at Hyde Melbourne Place, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and key stakeholders to discuss and explore critical insights surrounding Aged Care Design and Construction. This thought leadership article aims to encapsulate the core discussions and key takeaways from this impactful gathering, highlighting the collaborative spirit and forward-thinking vision of both Total Construction and Deicke.
I had the great pleasure as an Board Adviser to MC the event which commenced with a welcoming address from Chief Operating Officer Simon Hinneberg , representing Total Construction, who emphasised the importance of synergy and knowledge sharing in today's dynamic business environment. Following this, Ingrid Marshall from Deicke Richards shared her perspective on the evolving landscape of Aged care design arising from her Churchill Fellowship- "Homes not Facilities", setting the stage for an engaging panel discussion which included John Deicke and Stewart Scott (COO and Head of Ausrtalia) of Summerset Retirement Villages .
Key Discussion Points and Insights
One of the central themes explored was the environment enabling the person. The experts delved into international and national models. The consensus among participants was that the Aged Care Design Guidelines will be of benefit for both greenfield and brown field aged care developments.
Another significant area of focus was that conditions in the sector were improving and there was a greater likelihood of DAs transpiring to developments and the financial condition of the sector improve with the NEW Aged Care act . The discussion revolved around sources of capital and volume of older stock requiring replacement. A particularly compelling insight shared by Ingrid Marshall was how the international models are starting to be taken up in the Australian context. This resonated with the audience, underscoring the importance of getting the User design brief early to ensure that planning starts off on the right footings.
The event also provided a platform for robust discussions on the role that brown field or 'Refurbishments' will play. Panelists, including Simon Hinneberg showcased the Total Construction capability with refurbishments with Total Special Projects and also its focus on ‘Live sites’ where personnel have training on being in the environment caring for people with Dementia. How this solution really solves the risks of operators when work is being completed during the current operation of a service. The interactive Q&A session further enriched this discussion, revealing the variability of ‘small scale’ design based on type and model of care by the operator.
Collaborative Solutions and Future Outlook
A recurring sentiment throughout the event was the power of collaboration in addressing complex industry challenges. Both Total Construction and Deicke Richards , through their partnership in hosting this event, exemplified this principle. The discussions illuminated several avenues for collaborative solutions, including securing expert architectural advice earlier and gaining construction partnership early for smart and costs effective design.
The event concluded with a forward-looking perspective on the future of aged care design and construction. Participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear understanding of the immediate and long-term implications of the discussed insights. The overwhelming feedback underscored the value of such forums in fostering innovation and driving progress.
Total Construction and Deicke Richards are committed to continuing this dialogue and building on the momentum generated by this successful event. We encourage you to reach out to them for more information on the insights shared during the event or to explore potential collaborations.
Senior Sales Consultant Galvin Engineering Pty Ltd
1moWas such an informative evening, Ingrid Marshall your passion shone through and looks like there is so much still to explore. So Grateful to be invited Magda Myszkowski
Director McMillan Shakespeare Ltd
1moCynthia. You are such a passionate leader and influencer in this very important industry. I have always admired your grit and compassion. Ian
Design Lead @ The Dementia Centre
1moFor a sector being asked to be innovative, collaboration is the pathway towards it. The national aged care guidelines provide a robust foundation by which to innovate, the greatest opportunity is the expression of community. Exciting times. Ingrid Marshall