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

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Dominic Hailey on Elderly Living Architecture

Watch the video on YouTube: Dominic Hailey, ColladoCollins

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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

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• (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