Headed by Montfort Care, a Singapore-founded NGO, Goodlife Studio (Bukit Purmei) is an active ageing centre nestled below a public housing block within the Bukit Merah estate.
Rethinking The Future Awards 2025
First Award | Interiors – Healthcare/Wellness (Built)
Project Name: Goodlife Studio (Bukit Purmei)
Category: Interiors – Healthcare/Wellness (Built)
Studio Name: DP Architects
Design Team: Seah Chee Huang, Jehan Nair, Song Tingxuan
Area: 300 sqm
Year: 2023
Location: Singapore
Consultants: –
Photography Credits: Mazterz, Montfort Care, Finbarr Fallon
Render Credits: DP Architects
Other Credits:
Context
In the mature estate resides mainly a multi-generational family unit, with grandparents spending most of their day alone while the adults and children are out working and schooling. The noticeable gap in their afternoons and a significant reduction in social connections deprive them of opportunities for meaningful interactions with others, leading to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. With the shift from reactive treatment to preventive healthcare, addressing the issues of social isolation is key to allowing our seniors to age gracefully into their golden years.
Concept
Recognising these opportunities, the design transforms an underutilised void deck into a vibrant social living room. Beyond providing an inviting and inclusive space, the centre empowers seniors to take charge of their learning, health, and social engagement.
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH LEARNING
The centre is subdivided into 3 zones to be suited to 3 learning studio settings. The main studio, Kayu Artisan—inspired by the Malay word “kayu,” which refers to “wood” and also humorously refers to making mistakes – recognise that seniors may face physical limitations as they age. The studio hence offers a fun and light-hearted environment where they can freely express themselves, understand that making mistakes is a normal part of the journey, normalising imperfections along the way. In this dynamic setting, the more experienced senior artisans will become stewards of the learning community, allowing a continuation of wisdom and knowledge while forging meaningful camaraderie among peers.
BORDERLESS AND OPEN SETTING TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION
The centre is fitted with full-height glass doors, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior spaces, breaking away from the conventional gated and inward-looking senior care centres, and ushering in a new model of active ageing centres. In line with the client’s motto to challenge and redefine the stigma of ageing, bright solid hues are paired with muted timber tones to infuse liveliness into the warm-toned spaces.
NETWORK OF ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE SUPPORT
Envisioned as a one-stop centre for seniors in the area, this facility also functions as a healthcare hub. Beyond routine checkups and medication dispensing, it pioneers a unique approach. Nurses are stationed at the forefront of the centre, engaging seniors in casual check-ins akin to neighbourly chats, rather than traditional consultations in enclosed rooms. This innovative setup ensures seniors receive accurate and personalised healthcare guidance, reducing their reliance on medical treatments by proactively enhancing their health.
The centre is part of an extensive network providing targeted services to seniors. These thematic centres aim to build a strong, reliable, yet fun and lively healthcare system for the elderly. Supported by Singapore’s well-established transport system, seniors are not confined to programs and activities within their vicinity but are free to participate in diverse programs and connect with people from different parts of the country.
The centre is an embodiment of intentional programming and thoughtful design, showcasing how design can empower individuals to age gracefully and healthfully within their own homes and communities.
