Lisle & Leaweena Lodges (Mt Claremont Retirement Village)

Julius Elischer.

1978.

125 Alfred Rd & 53 Lisle St, Mount Claremont

The village-like Mediterranean retirement people’s homes by architect Julius Elischer constructed a low lowing village of homes that nestled into the contours of the site. By bringing in the surrounding landscape into each dwelling, Elischer inserted little laneways and passageways throughout the topography of the site, constructing a village similar to somewhere in Mediterranean European. The informal landscape connects to communal living areas and thus encouraged social interaction from its own community. The enterprising nature here is in how Elischer succeeded in pushing the preconceived ideas of private land and subtly conveying a landscape that promotes community interaction.

This aged persons home was built over a number of stages and spread across two sites on opposing sides to Lisle Street. This village was one of numerous similar village-like projects, namely those in Nedlands, Wanneroo and Mandurah, the first of which was Melvista Lodge, Nedlands. They were among the first aged persons facilities anywhere to use this low scale, site specific planning concept. The Mt Claremont project was perhaps the most dramatic and spatially varied of all, and attracted considerable international interest at the time of construction. The use of retaining walls allowed the creation of many different levels which obviated any sense of of being hemmed in by providing outlooks over adjoining units. Although the units follow standard rectangular plans, there are a variety of space between buildings. Car parking has been kept to the perimeter, discretely tucked under the buildings or tiled roof canopies. Although the approach taken here was different to previous aged persons facilities, it proved very successful in attracting residents.