High-performance social infrastructure transforming the regional urban fabric.
The Constraint
Partnering with Beyond Housing and the Peter & Lyndy White Foundation, the objective was to transform a long-vacant 5,000sqm site in Shepparton into a high-density social housing hub. The brief demanded a rapid, economical build that didn’t sacrifice resident comfort, all while navigating the specific climatic challenges of a rural city and a strict two-storey height limit.
The Resolution
A masterplanned “street-facing” strategy that integrates 13 one-bedroom and 7 two-bedroom units into the existing residential fabric. By utilizing corrugated steel and brick—materials synonymous with the local regional vernacular—we reconciled institutional density with a familiar domestic aesthetic. The design prioritizes wide pedestrian paths and solar orientation to significantly reduce operational energy costs for residents.
STREET-FACING DENSITY / PEDESTRIAN-FIRST MASTERPLAN
COMMUNAL AMENITY / SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE CIRCULATION
REGIONAL MATERIALITY / BRICK & CORRUGATED STEEL INTEGRATION
ECONOMICAL PRECISION / HIGH-DURABILITY INTERNAL FINISHES
NATURAL ILLUMINATION / OPTIMIZED INTERNAL VOLUME
1
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Spec: Transformation of a “dead” residential site into a 20-unit precinct in collaboration with philanthropic and government partners.
Outcome: Delivered high-yield housing that addresses the critical shortage of one and two-bedroom dwellings in regional Victoria.
2
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Spec: Spatial arrangement focused on “informal interactions,” featuring wide communal pathways and outward-facing street frontages.
Outcome: Fostered a sense of security and belonging for vulnerable residents through urban design that promotes community bond.
3
THERMAL MASS & PERFORMANCE
Spec: Optimized solar orientation for all dwellings to maximize natural illumination and minimize reliance on artificial cooling.
Outcome: Economical, simple-structure townhouses that exceed standard regional liveability and sustainability benchmarks.
