Lansdowne Gardens Aged Care Residence

Lansdowne Gardens is a premiere, luxury Aged Care facility overlooking Sydney Harbour, in Neutral Bay. The state-of-the-art residence integrates three significant heritage buildings as well as a modern residence on Wycombe Road. 

Tonkin’s scope of works included structural assessments, upgrades to the existing heritage buildings, and augmentations to the existing aged care facility.  

We understand that Lansdowne is more than just a building, it’s a home and pivotal community for senior residents. Careful consideration was required to ensure that the new structures, as well as the augmentation to existing buildings, would not hinder, but enhance the residence as a safe and easily accessible home for all residents. 

Tonkin has a reputation for working hand-in-hand with aged care providers to create beautiful and well-considered redevelopments that create an integrated communal environment for residents. 

Structural assessment
Tonkin conducted a comprehensive structural assessment on the heritage building’s existing roof, walls, timber floor and foundation structures. This included load-bearing capacity evaluations to ensure the existing structure can support the heavier new concrete upper-level floors. New load bearing walls and foundation were introduced within the existing building structure to support new additional loads whilst maintaining the external façade of the building. Tonkin engaged with contractors to address constructability and WH&S issues prior to commencement of works.

Foundation design
The foundation for the new extension was designed to accommodate the existing soil conditions and the presence of protected trees. Techniques such as piering and bridging were adopted to minimise disturbance to roots.

Integration with heritage building
To achieve a seamless integration between the new and old buildings - adhering to architectural styles that harmonise with the original building was key. Using light-weight material and construction techniques was essential to minimise additional loads imposed on the existing structure.

Environmental considerations
Tonkin considered protected trees and other environmental factors within the project zone. Structural design and construction methods were implemented in strict accordance with local authority requirements, prioritising the minimisation of disturbance to the surrounding environment. For example, Tonkin opted for shallow foundation construction instead of piling to reduce vibrations.

To minimise the carbon footprint of the Lansdown Gardens Aged Care Facility, Tonkin adopted structural timber elements that are cost-effective, lightweight, and sustainable wherever possible. The new concrete flooring was designed using post-tensioned concrete with a higher fly-ash content, which reduced the volume of concrete required and further decreased the overall carbon footprint.

The new building extension was constructed between an existing facility and a heritage listed building. This site presented significant challenges due to tight dimensions, along with the need to protect surrounding mature trees and services. The project was completed with careful consideration of all relevant factors, ensuring that the natural landscape and aesthetic of the facility were preserved.