Sigappi Illam Retirement Living
2017
Standing on 7.2 acres of land near Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu, the Sigappi Illam is a state-of-the-art retirement housing facilitating utmost care to the elderly. With the concept of a ‘home away from home, the old age home is built by “Chettinad Paroupakaaram Foundation”, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Chettinad group, in the memory of Ms Sigappi Achi, wife of Sri M.A.M Ramaswamy. Sigappi Illam has a total of 48 rooms spread across 6 blocks. The six white blocks with sloping roofs stand tall in contrast to the green foreground that has been paved with walkways to allow easy access within the compound.
Spacious single occupancy and double occupancy rooms with a variety of options are provided, along with a hospital for emergencies. Sustainable principles like rainwater harvesting, biogas plant, and organic vegetable gardens have also been integrated into the planning. Unlike traditional retirement communities, this one encourages people to connect by arranging them in clusters with big open spaces, gardens, and courtyards. It involves the residents in community-oriented activities with a dedicated yoga centre, a library block and a recreation centre. Hence, Sigappi Illam, with its green spaces, cluster arrangement and communal areas, can serve as a model for a new line of senior housing that may emerge in the future.