Yackandandah Health’s committee of management confirmed the deal this week.

Committee president Donald Crosthwaite said work on the double-storey building, which offers 16 residential aged-care rooms upstairs and 10 retirement living units for individuals or couples downstairs, will start in coming weeks.

“This is a big deal for our small, community-operated and independent health service,” he said.

“It’s the first stage in our plans to deliver a different approach to aged care and we have been pleased to keep the work local and regional.”

JWP Architects from Wodonga were engaged to carry out master planning and the design.

“Joss Construction also employs some staff who live in Yackandandah,” Mr Crosthwaite said.

Yackandandah Health chief executive Annette Nuck said the development was the latest in a number of projects it was undertaking to meet community health needs.

“The long-term aim is to adopt the European model of multi-generational accommodation and to facilitate more community interaction for residents on our site,” she said.

“The demand for a variety of options to suit people’s different needs as they age is just continuing to grow.”

JWP Architects’ partner, Bernie Jovaras said the new buildings incorporated many passive design principles including solar gain, proper orientation and natural ventilation.

“This was important to Yackandandah Health as it fits with the organisation’s innovation focus and their 2016 investment in a 90kW solar system,” he said.

“Solar chimneys are also a feature of the design to provide additional natural light and ventilation deep within the building.”

A new main vehicle entry access point off Isaacs Avenue, additional off street car parking and access to an internal road linking the facilities are all part of the development.

“The new building is designed to be in scale with domestic architecture, ensuring that the building will sit comfortably in the context of the existing building.” Mr Jovaras said.

Joss Construction project manager Brett McClellan welcomed the opportunity to partner with Yackandandah Health.

“This is an exciting project for us and we look forward to bringing JWP’s architectural vision to life for the benefit of the wider community,” he said.