In the quiet, leafy streets of Thornleigh in Sydney’s Upper North Shore, a new kind of care environment is quietly redefining what it means to build for people living with dementia. Delivered by Clover Homes, this residence is not just a specialised facility – it is, by design, a genuine home.

Based in Concord, Clover Homes has built its reputation on quality residential construction, but its growing focus on specialist Aged Care/Class 3 projects has pushed the team into more complex, highly regulated territory. For directors Ron Choi and Andrew Mantoufeh, and Estimating and Procurement Manager Tim Haddad, this project was about more than compliance – it was about empathy.

‘We didn’t want this to feel institutional,’ Ron says. ‘From day one, the goal was to create a place that feels familiar, calm and welcoming; somewhere residents feel safe, but also at home.’

That vision shaped every aspect of the build. The two-storey, Class 3 residence accommodates 10 occupants, each with their own bedroom and bathroom, alongside generous shared living spaces and landscaped outdoor areas. The layout encourages both independence and connection, while remaining intuitive for people experiencing cognitive decline.

Andrew explains the balancing act: ‘You’re designing for people who need very high levels of care, but you can’t let that dominate the experience of the home. The challenge is integrating all the technical requirements without losing that domestic feel.’

Those technical inclusions were significant yet had to remain unobtrusive. A comprehensive fire safety system was integrated throughout the residence, featuring an automated sprinkler system, boundary fire booster pump, and a fire indicator panel with direct call-out to emergency services for rapid response.

Accessibility has been seamlessly integrated into the design, with flush internal and external transitions and the inclusion of a seated stair lift, ensuring all areas remain fully accessible to individuals with varying mobility needs.

Tim notes, ‘There’s a lot happening behind the walls in a project like this. The detailing is intense, and accuracy is critical. But if we’ve done our job right, you don’t notice any of it. You just feel comfortable in the space.’

The result is a home that blends into its suburban context, deliberately avoiding the clinical appearance often associated with care facilities – an achievement that saw Clover Homes win the 2026 HIA Australian Specialised Housing award.

For Ron, this national recognition reinforces the company’s broader philosophy. ‘We build every home like it’s our own,’ he says. ‘But with this one, there was an added responsibility. It’s about creating a place where people can live with dignity, with comfort – and with purpose.’

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Materials

• Roof: Metal roof with Custom Orb profile in Night Sky from COLORBOND steel
• Insulation & fire-rated plasterboard: CSR 
• Window: 400 series in Surfmist from Stegbar
• Fireplace: Inspire 700 gas log fire in Driftwood and Coal from Real Flame
• Kitchen surface: Benchtop and island in Snow from Caesarstone
• Cladding: James Hardie
• Bricks: Austral Bricks from Brickworks
• Paint: Dulux