Melrose Manor, a gold-standard senior living community by Auria Senior Living (Auria), situated in the Johannesburg suburb of Melrose, has received recognition from the Pretoria Institute of Architects (PIA) for its inspiring design. Auria, a leading developer and operator of senior living communities in South Africa, has turned notions of what it means to have excellent quality of life as an older person around, with Melrose Manor and its other communities around the country.
The 2021 PIA Awards, which were announced on 22 October, recognised Kunz Raubenheimer Architects for the work they had done in transforming a dilapidated building into the setting for a thriving senior living community which is now an asset to the area. The large-scale renovation was awarded a Commendation for Architecture in the Alterations & Additions category.
Raising the bar on senior living in SA
Melrose Manor’s overhaul was driven by Auria’s vision to raise the bar on senior living in South Africa. “Our vision from the outset has been to set a new standard for senior living and to provide older people with supportive, engaging and vibrant settings in which to live. We strive to create the complete opposite of the uninspiring and institutional environments that are so often the norm,” says Barry Kaganson, CEO of Auria Senior Living.
Auria’s flagship community, San Sereno in Bryanston, has already received international acclaim – it received top honours last year alongside four other communities (all in the USA) in the prestigious Argentum 2020 Senior Living by Design Awards. Receiving recognition for Melrose Manor builds on this success and confirms that the market has been overdue for a model of senior living which encourages and supports an active, happy and meaningful lifestyle in a beautiful setting.
“We believe that people should be able to enjoy their golden years free of hassles, supported in their wellness needs, and to live their best lives. The design of our communities encourages and facilitates the many important aspects that we now regard as part of overall wellness – including physical, mental, social and emotional – all within an aesthetically pleasing, hospitality-style environment,” says Kaganson.
Engaging, contemporary and user-friendly design
The revamp of Melrose Manor required substantial changes to the building structure, a rethink of the spaces, a totally new take on interior design, and even a new landscape and garden design. The result is a practical and user-friendly set of spaces which is also sophisticated and charming. The design reflects the intention of Auria’s mission to have a positive impact on residents’ lives through their daily use of the spaces, enabling them to enjoy their best quality of life.
Melrose Manor – now a spacious and modern residence – provides a mix of 90 independent and assisted living units to approximately 100 residents, living in studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments. There is a wide variety of amenities available to residents including a state-of-the-art wellness centre; a restaurant, a café / bistro, and several private dining rooms. There is also a cinema, a bridge club, an art studio, a hair salon, a library and a variety of lounges. The gardens are attractively landscaped and there is a heated outdoor pool.
Services for residents include a concierge; 24-hour assistance and nursing care on site; and on-site access to an exercise studio, gymnasium, doctors, physiotherapy, biokinetics and a geriatrician. An interprofessional team performs routine screening of the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) – something which is key to decision-making with respect to care and therapies.
All these uses are beautifully accommodated in spaces which are contemporary and user-friendly. The original Mediterranean character of the building has been retained but reinterpreted with a sophisticated modern edge. The public spaces are light and inviting with natural light, carefully thought-out views and connections to the garden and exterior. The apartments were redesigned with open-plan layouts and tasteful modern fittings and finishes. The design provides residents with a well thought-out selection of spaces which form the backdrop to a variety of activities – be they social or quiet, indoors or outdoors. As such, they support the unique lifestyle that is so important for all residents to enjoy.
“Receiving an award such as this reaffirms that our drive to lead the market in the creation of sophisticated and modern senior living communities in line with international best practice is well on track,” says Kaganson.
Quintin Mills Photo & Video
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About Auria Senior Living
Auria Senior Living (Auria) develops, owns and manages a portfolio of senior living communities throughout South Africa. Auria is setting a new benchmark in continuing-care community living for the over-70s, providing for the intellectual, emotional, social and physical needs of its residents, in attractive and well-located environments.
Auria Senior Living’s current portfolio includes the award-winning San Sereno in Bryanston; the magnificently revamped Melrose Manor in Melrose; the recently acquired Woodside Village in Rondebosch and two new purpose-built communities: Royal View, a 122 apartment senior living development on the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington golf course in Sandringham and Coral Cove, a breath-taking senior living community at Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate on the shores of Sheffield Beach, KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.
For more information on Auria Senior Living visit: www.auria.co.za, or contact 087 654 8833.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]