IRT to Help Design Seniors' Housing of the Future

IRT Group has announced that it’s signed up for an Australian-first research project to design the seniors housing of the future.

IRT is one of only five retirement living providers partnering with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to deliver the Senior Living Innovation project. 

“Our founders created IRT almost 50 years ago to provide older Australians with better choices in housing and care,” said IRT Communities CEO, Stig Andersen. “That founding mission is still our guiding star.”

“Older Australians still want a range of choices when downsizing their home and upsizing their lifestyle, and IRT is still committed to enabling this.”

Mr Andersen said that 184,000 Australians over the age of 65 currently live in retirement villages and this number is expected to double by 2025.

“Consumer demand for the current retirement village model remains strong, but there’s an opportunity for providers like IRT to innovate our product offering to benefit even more older Australians,” he said.

“We’re excited to partner with QUT and older Australians themselves to better understand their needs and expectations and design creative solutions.”

Led by QUT researcher Professor Laurie Buys, the project will develop alternative business models to reinvent the ageing experience and support health and wellbeing through all life stages.

It involves community engagement, social media mapping and an online community to gain insights from the over-50s.

“We’re really excited to challenge traditional stereotypes and assumptions of ageing,” said Mr Andersen.

“Think robotics, smart houses, nano and wearable technology, intentional and intergeneration communities… When you combine one of Australia’s leading technology universities with industry partners and forward-thinking consumers, the possibilities are endless."

Find out more about IRT Group.