My journey as a Project Manager in the NDIS Housing Sector

Samuel’s credentials and responsibilities

As a Project Manager with a Bachelor of Construction Management & Property Economics and a Certificate IV in Building and Construction, I’m dedicated to delivering Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) to people with disabilities across Australia. I work in the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) Sector, collaborating with developers, builders and architects to create inclusive and accessible homes that provide comfort and support to those who need it most.

In addition to my role as a Project Manager, I’m also a strong advocate for accessible and inclusive design. I work closely with architects to incorporate features within a building that enhance accessibility (i.e. auto doors in common areas, door threshold ramps in corridors and ceiling hoist provisions within bedrooms, just to name a few). I’m also a firm believer in using technology to improve accessibility and have implemented various innovative solutions such as voice-controlled lighting and smart home systems to make life easier for people living with disabilities.

Drive and philosophy

I’m passionate about the NDIS Sector and I’m committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities, from a design and construction perspective. I’m dedicated to ensuring that the homes we deliver are not only accessible but also aesthetically pleasing and provide a sense of comfort to the residents. I understand that everyone’s needs are different, and our team works closely with each individual and their families to ensure that their new home meets their specific needs.

With several years of experience in the construction industry, I have honed my project management, team leadership, and construction risk management skills. I understand the importance of having a clear and efficient project plan in place to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget. I also recognise the value of teamwork and work closely with builders and architects to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.

The Enliven Housing Design and Project Management Team

Here at Enliven Housing, we have an in-house design and project management team, which enables us to align the builder’s expectations with ours to ensure certification is achieved on time and within the allocated budget.

Our Design and Construction process

Below is an insight into the design and construction process we follow at Enliven Housing, which enables us to create a clear plan for the project stakeholders and optimise the efficiency of the overall journey:

1. Identify the optimal 11 apartments to be designed as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
2. Create concept designs for each of the applicable apartment types.
3. Implement the concept designs into the construction drawings with the architect & other consultants.
4. Coordinate with the certifier & architect to create a compliant set of architectural documentation for the SDA apartments.
5. Complete eight hold point inspections on-site. This allows us to capture any non-compliances throughout the construction journey, to avoid major variations at the end of the project. We see this stage of the journey as being a critical milestone for Enliven Housing, as it allows us to maintain our positive rapport with the builder and various trades.The SDA standard can be quite difficult to interpret, so by communicating proficiently and providing clear directions to the site team, we are able to work as a collective, ensuring all trades/suppliers are aware and have a clear understanding of what is required of them under the SDA standard.
6. Coordinate with the certifier to achieve a final As-Built Certification for the project.

Hopefully this article has been helpful to you. If you’d like to know more about our design philosophy, information on our properties eligibility, call 1300 365 483 and have a conversation with one of our SDA housing specialists.