The Lasa Street co-operative seniors housing project in Cabramatta, 30km southwest of Sydney’s CBD, has been designed by Stanton Dahl Architects for the specific needs of Vietnamese seniors.
The 13-home development, an alternative to a retirement village (or Micro Cap) has been funded by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, Common Equity NSW and the Lac Viet Housing Co-operative.
The project celebrates diversity with a design inspired by the ‘Nha Lau’ style prevalent in Vietnam, characterised by narrow, tall buildings.
Importantly, it recognises the significant lack of support for ageing seniors with strong cultural ties and aims to create an environment where residents can find companionship among peers who share similar cultural heritage, backgrounds and dialects.
“By providing spaces that encourage interaction, the development fosters a sense of belonging and support, ultimately contributing to the resident’s quality of life and the broader social fabric of the community,” said Ahmed Tarshan (pictured), Associate, Stanton Dahl Architects.
“The project illustrates how socially driven architecture can play a powerful role in bringing culture, community, human-centricity and social values to the forefront of the design process.”
Tri Vo, Cabramatta NSW MP, who opened the development on Thursday, 18 April, said the Vietnamese community's input was at every stage, from site selection to final design.
"Culturally responsive elements, such as market gardens and communal spaces, are integrated into the design. This Cabramatta project showcases how community integration and thoughtful design can enhance co-operative living,” he said.
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