Aged care facilities are not typically recognised for their striking design aesthetic. However, the Arcare Templestowe Aged Care Centre in Victoria showcases the evolving design of premium aged care facilities through its unique roof. Sympathetic to the built environment of the suburb, yet striking in colour and texture, the roof tiles create a look that is instantly recognised by neighbours and passers-by as a facility-enriching feature.
The original architectural concept was enhanced by the builder, J&G Knowles, using lessons learnt from past aged care projects, including ways to better meet operational and functional requirements. The J&G Knowles in-house designers researched and compared roofing products in consultation with the architectural team at Via Architecture. Boral Artline® Designer Ceramic tiles in the colour Eclipse were chosen for their low profile and subtly textured surface which suits the high pitched roofline of the building.
The Artline® tiles have an elegant look shaped for design flexibility and accentuate the clean lines of a contemporary property. These state-of-the-art tiles create a streamlined effect, with a matte finish that gives a softer appearance and blends in with surrounding buildings. They are perfect for a large-scale facility, boasting colour-integrity, low-maintenance and a 60-year warranty.
The project was of an enormous scale, requiring more than 100,000 tiles. Beginning in March 2018, it took an entire year for the roof to be constructed. “This was a mammoth project. The average home needs less than 3,000 tiles, so we were delivering tiles constantly throughout this period,” commented Jeff Best, account manager, Boral.
The roof installation was tightly coordinated. Sections of roof were constructed only as certain wings of the facility were erected. “There needed to be a lot of communication and coordination between the different tradespeople for this project to run smoothly and on-time,” commented Best.
This aged care residence in Templestowe showcases striking ceramic roof tiles as a unique and underrated feature of contemporary design.