Treetops Retirement Living is a purpose-built Bolton Clarke development located on Sargent Street in New Farm. The project delivers 39 independent living apartments in a carefully designed low-rise form that integrates sensitively with the surrounding residential context.
Driven by the need for age-appropriate housing in a suburb with limited existing supply, the development provides one, two, and three-bedroom residences designed to support ageing in place. Features include step-free access, wider circulation spaces, and adaptable layouts that allow for increased care needs over time.
The architecture prioritises scale, privacy, and neighbourhood fit, with a three-storey frontage and a fourth level set back to respect the slope of the site. The existing traditional Queenslander at 11 Sargent Street is retained and repurposed for community use, preserving character and enhancing the sense of place.
This project reflects a growing demand for thoughtfully designed, integrated retirement living close to local services and community amenity.
The Challenges
Balancing heritage and safety
Parts of the site required the retention of heritage character. Integrating contemporary fire safety requirements without intrusive alterations presented both compliance and design complexity.
Supporting vulnerable residents
Retirement living introduces unique risk profiles. Many residents may have reduced mobility or require assistance, meaning evacuation strategies needed to accommodate slower response times and safe refuge options.
Technology integration
The development included modern features such as mobile access locks and smart-home technologies. These systems required careful review to ensure they would not impede emergency access or compromise evacuation.
A complex approvals pathway
The certification process was lengthy, with differing interpretations of compliance requirements creating delays. Consistent and clear guidance was essential to keep the project moving.
Multi-disciplinary coordination
Value management changes impacted core fire safety provisions. Continuous alignment across structural, hydraulic, and mechanical teams was essential to ensure outcomes such as slab thickness, piping routes, and hose reel coverage remained practical and compliant.
Bloom’s Impact
Preserving character while ensuring safety
Through a targeted compartmentation strategy, we preserved key heritage elements while achieving modern fire safety compliance.
Clarity during certification
Bloom provided clear direction when certifier feedback created uncertainty, giving the client confidence and helping resolve issues efficiently.
Cost efficiency without compromise
By collaborating with the design team, Bloom identified safe opportunities to reduce cost in areas such as fireproofing, piping layouts, hose reel coverage, and slab thickness.
Future-ready car parking
Our electric vehicle fire risk assessment supported a practical carpark design that can accommodate future EV charging demand, adding long-term value.
Proactive cross-discipline alignment
By actively contributing to high-demand coordination meetings, we ensured structural, hydraulic, and mechanical implications were considered early, avoiding rework and supporting compliant, buildable outcomes.
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