Loading component...
Loading component...
Developed by Summerset Group Holdings in Milldale, north of Auckland, the village integrates independent living with full care services, placing strong emphasis on modern design, wellbeing, comfort, and social connection – key drivers in today’s aged care developments.
The development brings together independent living, serviced apartments, and full care facilities within a single connected environment designed to support residents to age in place. The focus is on creating a setting where wellbeing, comfort, and social connection are embedded into everyday living. The built environment has been designed to feel modern and residential, while still meeting the technical and compliance demands of aged care infrastructure.
Supporting this vision, Ultra Interiors, a New Zealand specialist in interior linings and finishing systems, delivers a complete end-to-end solution across insulation, wall and ceiling systems, plasterboard installation, and finishing. Their work plays a critical role in shaping the internal environment, ensuring spaces are warm, quiet, durable, and fit for purpose in aged care settings. On this project, Ultra Interiors has been instrumental in delivering high-performance ceiling systems that enhance both acoustic comfort and visual quality, essential for resident wellbeing. Dave Pitt’s approachable and knowledgeable nature, combined with a solutions-focused team, ensures cost-effective and long-lasting outcomes tailored to client needs.
Led by experienced project manager Brian Cullen from Summerset, the project benefits from strong leadership and deep construction expertise, ensuring smooth delivery aligned with aged care standards.
Within this setting, Ultra Interiors delivered a full end-to-end scope including insulation, plasterboard systems, wall and ceiling installation, and finishing works. Their involvement helped ensure internal spaces were warm, quiet, durable, and appropriate for care-based living environments.
Ceiling systems supplied through CSR Limited, including the Rondo Key-Lock system and integrated access solutions, were central to achieving acoustic comfort, construction efficiency, and long-term performance across the development. The long-standing partnership between Ultra Interiors and Potters, part of CSR Limited New Zealand, has further strengthened project outcomes. Potters’ ceiling systems have contributed not only to the aesthetic appeal of the development but also to the quality, performance, and durability required in aged care environments, demonstrating how strong collaboration and trusted products can deliver exceptional results in this growing sector.
Aged care environments are increasingly expected to deliver residential quality outcomes while still meeting strict performance requirements. At Milldale, this balance was achieved through careful attention to internal linings and ceiling systems, which play a significant role in acoustic comfort and overall atmosphere.
Ultra Interiors noted that the success of these environments relies heavily on selecting systems that are consistent, reliable, and practical to install across multiple stages of construction. This becomes particularly important in large-scale care villages where repetition and coordination are essential to maintaining quality.
The ceiling systems selected for Milldale were designed to meet these expectations while also aligning with seismic and compliance requirements specific to New Zealand construction.
A key feature of the project was the use of the Rondo Key-Lock ceiling system and associated access hatches, specified by the Summerset project architect based in Wellington. This ensured consistency of approach from early design stages through to construction.
The system was selected due to its familiarity within the industry and its suitability for aged care environments where reliability and repeatable performance are essential. The installation team highlighted the practical benefits on site, particularly in relation to ease of handling and coordination across trades.
The access hatches were also well received for their simplicity and practicality, particularly in service areas where ongoing maintenance access is required without compromising ceiling finish or performance.
The project team described the system as widely recognised and well suited to this type of work, with access components being straightforward to install and user friendly in practice.
From a construction perspective, the ceiling systems contributed to a more efficient and coordinated installation process. Ultra Interiors noted the ease of installation as a key benefit, particularly in maintaining programme efficiency across multiple areas of the development.
As David Pitt from Ultra Interiors reflects, “The Rondo Key-Lock system is widely known in the industry and is well suited to be used for this type of work. The access hatches are very easy to install and are ‘user friendly’.”
The system contributed to a strong and durable end result, giving the project team real peace of mind around its enduring quality. As Pitt stated, “We have the satisfaction that our client will benefit from the best products available for the plasterboard ceilings to be fixed to.” This consistency was particularly valuable in an aged care environment where quality and finish standards are closely linked to resident experience.
The team described the installation process as straightforward, with products contributing to good overall efficiency and buildability across the project.
A strong working relationship between Ultra Interiors and CSR Potters supported the successful delivery of the ceiling systems across the project. Rondo were credited with providing excellent technical support throughout the project, with strong product knowledge helping ensure alignment between design intent and site execution.
Delivering a large-scale aged care environment requires careful coordination across multiple performance criteria including acoustics, fire safety, durability, and long-term maintainability. At Milldale, these requirements were addressed through early specification decisions and the use of established, well-understood systems.
Seismic compliance, installation sequencing, and access requirements were all key considerations during delivery. These were managed through clear documentation, early engineering input, and consistent installation practices on site.
The use of familiar systems helped reduce complexity during construction and supported a more efficient build process, particularly across repeated room types and service areas.
The Summerset Milldale project demonstrates how considered system selection and coordinated delivery can shape the quality of aged care environments.
Through the use of Rondo Key-Lock ceiling systems, integrated access solutions, and the installation expertise of Ultra Interiors, the project has achieved a high level of internal finish, acoustic comfort, and construction efficiency.
The result is a development that supports both operational requirements and resident wellbeing, delivering calm, durable, and well-resolved interior environments.
As the aged care sector continues to evolve, Milldale stands as an example of how proven systems, strong collaboration, and practical installation approaches can combine to deliver high-performing, future-focused care communities.