New Zealand's top Homestar rating in aged care

The new benchmark: 7 Homestar rating

Healthy, sustainable architecture shapes every stage of how JTB designs for aged care, and the Care Centre and Apartment building at Arvida Bethlehem Shores puts that commitment into practice. The building has achieved a 7 Homestar Built Rating, the highest rating of any aged care retirement village building in Aotearoa.

Andrew Eagles, CEO of the New Zealand Green Building Council, says: “Building to this standard improves energy resilience, reduces maintenance and improves health and comfort.”

“It’s more than just a certification – it means homes designed to be healthier, more resilient, energy efficient and more comfortable for the people who live there,” he adds.

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) forms the building’s primary structure, carrying sustainable design through every apartment and care unit. For this project, that meant designing spaces that support residents’ wellbeing while reducing the building’s environmental footprint.

Overlooking Tauranga’s inner harbour, the building complements the existing 273 architecturally designed villas at the Bethlehem Shores lifestyle village, providing relaxed retirement living within an established community.

The 13,324m² facility delivers 52 luxury 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments, plus a 60-bed care and specialist dementia unit, arranged over five wings and four levels with additional basement parking. Additional spaces include a café, lounge bar, whānau rooms, hair salon, flexi/craft room, communal kitchen and dining spaces, a secure dementia care garden, and separate courtyards for general use.

JTB Architects led the consultant team in a federated BIM environment to coordinate the build.

Warm congratulations to Arvida Group and the wider project team for this significant achievement.