Redefining Elderly Living Architecture: A Conversation with Dominic Hailey at ColladoCollins

Elderly living architecture should support identity, community, independence and dignity, not reduce later life to tired stereotypes.Stephen Drew speaks with Dominic Hailey from ColladoCollins about later living, retirement communities, wellbeing, intergenerational living, architecture education, qualification, small practices, Just Living and future opportunities in elderly living design.The conversation covers: How later living design can move beyond narrow assumptions about ageing Why wellbeing and community are central to retirement housing How Dominic's career route led into elderly living and care projects What students and professionals can learn from specialist sectors Why small practice experience and long qualification routes can still build depth ____▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKwrTtRJrO0📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/dominic-hailey-elderly-living-architecture/Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:https://architecturesocial.com/The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:https://archademia.com/architecture-social/Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.____Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:50 The Reality of Retirement Communities 04:32 Dominic's Journey into Architecture 06:59 Innovative Approaches to Elderly Living 18:57 The Importance of Wellbeing in Design 20:27 Challenges and Future of Intergenerational Living 25:38 Reflections on Architectural Education 28:19 The Long Road to Qualification 29:39 Early Career Challenges and Decisions 31:04 The Value of Small Practices 33:47 First Project in Elderly Living Sector 35:14 Insights on Retirement Living Sector 42:32 ColladoCollins: A Balanced Approach 49:54 Opportunities and Future Prospects (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:50) - The Reality of Retirement Communities (04:32) - Dominic's Journey into Architecture (06:59) - Innovative Approaches to Elderly Living (18:57) - The Importance of Wellbeing in Design (20:27) - Challenges and Future of Intergenerational Living (25:38) - Reflections on Architectural Education (28:19) - The Long Road to Qualification (29:39) - Early Career Challenges and Decisions (31:04) - The Value of Small Practices (33:47) - First Project in Elderly Living Sector (35:14) - Insights on Retirement Living Sector (42:32) - Collado Collins: A Balanced Approach (49:54) - Opportunities and Future Prospects