Neighbourhood Living concept
Our Neighbourhood Living concept is about designing spaces that encourage independence and connection with the community.
A new way of living together
Inclusive design
Individual units are built on the principles of universal design. That means they are designed to be accessible and usable by all people without the need for adaptation or specialised design.
Adaptable and flexible
Units can be joined in a way that blends in with surrounding family homes. For example, four independent homes can be built under one roof system to create the look of a single-family home. Or many single units can fit as needed into a multi-story solution.
Our concept is flexible, and its principles can be integrated into any new development—low rise or high rise—or existing neighbourhood and community.
Giving people the freedom to choose
Design that balances privacy with connection
Landscaping is thoughtfully planned with varying degrees of privacy. So, personal garden spaces feel like private spaces, while communal areas are designed to encourage connection.
Shared spaces promote community
At the heart of the development is a central hub. The hub is designed around co-living principles, offering spaces that feel like home while encouraging interaction, learning, and connectivity.
This intuitive design empowers individuals with freedom to choose:
the ability to spend time alone or with others
to choose the level of support they need
to access a baseline of essential services when needed
to have access to the broader community.
Our Neighbourhood Living concept envisions a better way to live for people with intellectual disabilities, who often live in homes that are not suited to their needs.
Our concept is built on four ideas. While some of these ideas are tried and tested around the world, our approach is unique in combining them into a single, cohesive model: Neighbourhood Living.
Our first neighbourhood
We’re building a community where homes, green spaces, and shared facilities work together so people of all ages and abilities can thrive. Find out more about our Paeroa project.
Sharing the concept
ADAPT’s vision is to see more homes built using inclusive design. That’s why we’re committed to sharing the Neighbourhood Living concept, not owning it.
Find out more about how we work with other organisations on our Work with us page.