Optimising person-environment fit for inclusive and purpose-built housing: A BIM-LiDAR framework for Australia's disability and aged care ecosystems

As the average age of the Australian population increases with 15.9% aged 65 and above, and 49.6% of the 4.4 million Australians with disabilities falling within this demographic (ABS, 2018), the majority of existing homes are ill-equipped to meet their particular needs. This demographic trend poses a considerable challenge to Australia's disability and aged care system, as the anticipated increase in frail individuals with complex care needs necessitates purpose-built housing providing person-centric living environments for vulnerable populations.

This project proposes create new knowledge through person-environment fit (PE-Fit) digital solutions for promoting sustainable, healthy and happy ageing in purpose-built homes for aged care, retirement villages and NDIS providers in response to Australia’s ageing population. This Phase 2 will enable the verification of aged care, retirement village and NDIS as-built models’ reliability when used to identify the hazards to assess and control risks prior to pre-site inspections/visits for refurb and refit. This study will generate approaches for a broad range of service providers – architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), asset and facilities management (A&FM), property, healthcare – to reconsider their WHS strategies.

Bond’s substantial investment in LiDAR technologies and research projects with industry and other universities provides the opportunity to seek external funding from government and other stakeholders. From the University’s perspective, Phase 2 will benefit BIM students at all levels and underpin the creation of a micro-credential in the practical applications of LIDAR and associated technologies across a range of built environment fields.

This research will align the design and construction of purpose-built structures with the needs of an ageing population and people with disabilities, and simplify workplace strategies for housing and services providers, including pre-field site assessments, health and safety risk evaluations, preparations for renovations based on the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) and incorporating ESG measures.

We aim to showcase our validated BIM and LiDAR technology dataset and applications to addressing Australia’s ageing population and disability purpose-built housing needs.

The completed 2023 Phase 1 indicated the benefits of organisations adopting BIM to assess work health and safety risks of their employees before physical home assessment.