Consultancy
The Village Architect provides specialised architectural consultancy services for retirement villages, aged care operators, councils, and architects across New Zealand and Australia. Drawing on deep industry experience and ongoing doctoral research, we offer evidence-based design solutions that enhance resident wellbeing, operational efficiency, and community outcomes.
Translating Evidence-Based Design Expertise Across Sectors
The Village Architect provides a holistic approach from neighbourhood to home, offering specialist consultancy services to organisations seeking research-informed approaches to creating supportive, dementia inclusive environments. Drawing from extensive experience master planning and refurbishing complex retirement village campuses and ongoing research in spatial design and wellbeing outcomes, we translate this expertise to diverse project types and scales.
Our consultancy approach is grounded in core principles that guide all our work: dignity, autonomy, and authenticity. Whether working with aged care industry professionals or public sector organisations, we apply validated design principles to create environments where people of all cognitive abilities feel enabled, supported, and engaged in their community.
The Changing Demographics
The aging population presents significant challenges requiring specialised environmental responses. Research by Ma'u et al. (2024) indicates that dementia prevalence in New Zealand is projected to more than double from 70,000 in 2020 to almost 170,000 by 2050, with a significant proportion remaining undiagnosed. This creates urgent demand for environments that support people with varying cognitive abilities across all settings - from retirement villages to community facilities.
Research-Informed Practice
Our consultancy services are distinguished by their academic foundation. We stay at the forefront of emerging research through key leadership roles:
Co-chair of Dementia Alliance International's Environmental Design Special Interest Group
Subject Matter Expert for Dementia Design Aotearoa - developing national training for dementia inclusive housing in collaboration with Auckland University
Sara's current PhD research exploring spatial design and clinical outcomes directly informs our practical recommendations. This academic foundation, combined with extensive hands-on project experience, enables us to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical implementation.
Two Complementary Service Areas
Our national consultancy practice serves two distinct but complementary sectors, each benefiting from our deep understanding of how environmental design impacts human wellbeing:
Specialised consultancy for retirement village operators, care providers, and developers seeking to create environments that enhance quality of life while optimising operational efficiency.
Strategic input for councils and public organisations creating age-friendly, dementia-inclusive community infrastructure through facility assessment and accessibility enhancement.
Collaborative Approach
As specialist consultants, we work alongside existing teams to provide expert input on dementia-enabling design that enhances project outcomes. We add value throughout the entire project lifecycle, from initial master planning and concept design through to detailed documentation and refurbishment planning. Our recommendations are tailored to suit the specific design and construction stage, ensuring practical implementation regardless of project phase.
Getting Started
We offer flexible engagement options tailored to client needs and project requirements. Services range from single design reviews and facility assessments to ongoing advisory input throughout project development. Initial consultations help determine the most appropriate level of involvement for each project.
The Village Architect's consultancy services help organisations create environments that support community wellbeing across all demographics. Contact us to discuss how evidence-based design expertise can enhance your specific project outcomes.
