Retirement living is a concept that continues to expand in response to the appeal that it holds for active seniors as well as those in need of supported living.  Modern luxury retirement villages can now be found country wide, and often encompass a full continuum of accommodation options, from independent living and assisted living, through to hospital-level care facilities.

Summerset Richmond Ranges is situated just outside Stoke township in Nelson, in a relaxed rural setting with magnificent views of the Richmond Ranges. A range of warm, modern, and low-maintenance villas, cottages and serviced apartments enable its residents to live independently while being part of a relaxed and welcoming community.  Richmond Ranges also offers an industry-leading memory care centre for those living with dementia.

The village centre is a multi-purpose community hub with spacious resident lounges, dining room and library. Its resort-style facilities include a café, bar, hair and beauty salon, theatre, indoor pool and spa.

First images show views of Summerset Richmond Ranges villas and serviced apartments, the Theatre and one of the resident lounges.  

Structural Engineers Specify Seismic Joints

Structural engineers are responsible for assessing a building’s seismic design and they determine the specific type, size and the location of the seismic joints that the building’s location, size and purpose require.  The Architects for Summerset Richmond Ranges chose Interior Components to install its Jointmaster Series Seismic Joints on the grounds of the seismic joint specifications, the international reputation of the Jointmaster Series, and the company’s record of seismic joint installation in major construction projects throughout New Zealand.

Interior Components then worked closely with the project manager to ensure that the work of its highly trained Seismic Joints installation team dovetailed as precisely as possible with the work schedules and milestones of the other construction specialists on the job.

Multipurpose seismic joints deliver on design & function

A clean design and flawless finish are hallmarks of quality construction and are evident throughout Summerset Richmond Ranges, not least in some of the features that most residents will never have cause to notice.

The dark grey vertical lines transecting the external wall in the images above could be assumed to be design features. They are in fact Jointmaster J1100 Foam Seal Exterior Vertical Wall Joints that are essential to the integrity of the building!

Vertical wall joints are only one type of joint in a seismic jointing system, but this particular joint is installed to both ensure a completely weathertight exterior seal, and to accommodate any building movements related to temperature changes, foundation settling, or earthquakes.

Similarly, residents strolling through the building’s spacious corridors might note the occasional lines on the floor or up the walls but not realise that these too are important seismic joints installed for the protection of the buildings and residents.

Door & Wall Protection

Interior Components was also contracted to install door panelling and doorframe protection to prevent the new doors from being impact damage and general wear and tear, and corner guards on all wall corners.  Corner guards are designed to protect any users who bump against a corner by accident, but they also perform the essential service of protecting the wall corners from continuous impact damage caused by bumps from wheelchairs, furniture or wheeled beds and trolleys.

Summerset Richmond Ranges chose the door and corner protection products from Interior Component’s Inpro Rigid Vinyl range, a key consideration being its easy clean, low maintenance qualities that deliver a sanitary environment and low ongoing costs.

Seismic Joints & Panelling for Summerset villages across New Zealand

Interior Components has since completed similar work at Summerset Avonhead Christchurch, Summerset Kenepuru Wellington, Summerset Pohutukawa New Plymouth, and Summerset Te Awa Napier. If you happen to visit one of these impressive facilities perhaps you’ll spot a seismic joint or two, now that you’re in the know!

Seismic Joint Products Provided for this construction project include:

• Jointmaster J1100 Foam Seal Exterior Vertical Wall Joints
• Jointmaster 223 Series Floor Joints
• Jointmaster 114 Series Wall & Ceiling Joints
• InPro Palladium® Kick Plates for Door Protection Panels
• InPro 160 High Impact Corner Guards
• InPro Palladium® Rigid Sheet Door & Door Frame Protection.