49 Years in Aged Care: From Red Chairs to Resident-Led Design

It’s hard to believe, but Archer Care has been around for 49 years.

Yes… forty-nine. That’s nearly five decades of working alongside care teams, facility managers, and residents to help shape the spaces older New Zealanders call home.

And wow, how things have changed.

 
The Early Days

We recently dug up some old photos from some earlier projects.

 



Let’s just say… this was cool and trendy at the time!

Rooms were practical, but rarely personal. Furniture was chosen for durability above all else. Comfort came second. Style? Well... that was a luxury.

 
Fast Forward to Now
Today, aged care and retirement living have evolved into something truly special, spaces that look and feel like home.

• Calming colours
• Natural timbers and curves
• Comfortable chairs
• Dining and lounge areas that promote social connection
• Soft textures, thoughtful lighting, and familiar finishes

We’ve gone from creating rooms that meet basic needs, to designing environments that enhance daily living.

And while our materials and methods have changed, one thing hasn’t...

...our focus on long-lasting comfort.

 
Listen to the Residents

One thing we’ve learned in our nearly 50-year journey?

First-hand experience brings insight no plan can match

That’s why we love seeing more procurement teams involve residents in the decision-making process, testing chairs, voting on finishes, and offering feedback that genuinely shapes the final outcome.

It’s how we learned (again and again) that the Diana Chair remains a resident favourite, not because it’s trendy, but because it simply feels right.

Diana Armchair

 
Looking Back, Moving Forward

We’re proud of where we came from because those early projects paved the way for the warm, human-centred spaces we help create today.

Aged care isn’t what it used to be.

And thank goodness for that.

Here’s to the next 49 years of comfort, dignity, and design that feels like home.

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