Goodwin Downer Retirement Living

Architect CK Architecture
Contractor Manteena
Sectors
- Seniors living
Services
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Structural
- Sustainability
Year 2026
Location Downer, ACT

Last Project
Next Project

Goodwin Downer Retirement Living is a contemporary village in Canberra’s inner north comprising four residential buildings with 109 independent living apartments, 20 assisted living units and a central clubhouse. Northrop provided structural, electrical, mechanical and sustainability services from concept through to construction, helping deliver a coordinated and resilient community focused on comfort, wellbeing and connection.

Partnership

Northrop worked closely with Manteena and CK Architecture from the outset to help shape a coordinated and buildable design. With more than 15 years of shared experience delivering retirement living projects, the team brought a strong understanding of what works in practice.

This long-standing relationship meant ideas could be tested and resolved quickly, balancing architectural intent with practical engineering outcomes while keeping the project moving.

Project

Goodwin Downer Retirement Living is a contemporary village in Canberra’s inner north, delivered across four residential buildings with 109 independent living apartments and 20 assisted living units. A central clubhouse and shared amenities support a connected community within an established residential setting.

The project was shaped by a complex planning process. It required balancing increased built form with a reduced dwelling yield under Crown Lease conditions, while responding carefully to its surrounding neighbourhood. Setbacks, solar access and privacy were all considered to protect neighbouring amenity.

Existing heritage-listed trees and landscape elements were also a key part of the site. These were carefully managed through a combination of retention and replacement, helping to maintain the site’s character while enabling renewal.

Working with Northrop felt like a true partnership. Their team brought genuine care and a collaborative spirit by finding remarkable solutions together towards construction issues. Their capabilities to work with design, contractors and builders made them a trusted partner for this project.
Michael Grace
Senior Project Manager - Manteena

Delivery

Northrop provided structural, electrical, mechanical and sustainability services from concept through to construction, working as an integrated team to resolve challenges early and keep the design coordinated as it evolved.

Mechanical systems were designed with a strong focus on comfort, air quality and energy efficiency. Apartments are supported by ducted systems with zone control, allowing residents to independently manage temperatures across living and sleeping areas. Energy recovery ventilation was also introduced to pre-condition incoming air and improve indoor air quality, exceeding typical residential benchmarks.
In response to Canberra’s bushfire smoke events, an environmental monitoring system was incorporated to manage poor air quality. This system can automatically adjust building operation to reduce the impact of external conditions, supporting a safer and more resilient environment for residents.

Given the proximity to neighbouring homes and between plant and living spaces, acoustic performance was carefully integrated into the design, with plantrooms detailed to minimise noise transfer.

Electrical design required ongoing coordination with authorities, particularly as requirements changed during the extended approval process. When substation demands increased, Northrop worked with the architect and supply authority to instead deliver a point of entry solution. This reduced the footprint of electrical infrastructure and preserved more space for landscaping and amenity.

The team also worked closely with stakeholders to deliver safe and well-integrated pathway lighting connecting residents to the nearby Downer shops, navigating authority requirements to achieve a practical and lasting outcome.

From a structural perspective, post-tensioned concrete slabs were used to achieve longer spans and reduce overall material use. This improved construction efficiency while allowing for more open layouts and better natural light within apartments and shared spaces. Close coordination between structure and services ensured these benefits could be realised without compromise.

On site, several significant trees were retained. Protective shoring systems were designed during basement excavation to avoid damage to root zones, allowing these established landscape elements to remain part of the finished development.

Impact

Goodwin Downer provides a comfortable and well-connected living environment that supports independence while encouraging community.
The central clubhouse and landscaped spaces create opportunities for social connection, while easy access to local shops, cafes and services helps residents stay engaged with the wider neighbourhood.
Sustainability and wellbeing were considered throughout the design.

Solar panels, EV charging and energy-efficient systems help reduce operational impact, while thoughtful lighting design improves safety and highlights key landscape features.

Security has also been carefully integrated, with discreet systems including panoramic cameras and controlled access supporting a safe and welcoming environment.

By coordinating structure, services and architecture from the outset, the project achieves efficient use of materials, reduced embodied carbon, and spaces that feel open, light-filled and easy to live in.

Images courtesy of Manteena