Reconfigure

The Reconfigure design studio and paired studies unit forms part of a live research project by the Urban Lab at Monash Architecture in Association Disability Homes Victoria (DHV). The project explores and communicates design strategies for reconfiguring existing DHV-owned shared homes to better support their residents with particular physical and mental health care needs. These houses are located in various locations in metropolitan Melbourne and include purpose-built and spot-purchased houses of typical suburban construction type.

The teaching program was based on two core DHV requirements.

The first is the reduction of the number of residents per house from 5 to 3 residents. This shift in density is used as an impetus to increase the broader quality and amenity of the homes for residents, carers and visitors. This includes the enhancement of:

• the interior room arrangement for improved spatial and environmental performance,
• the relationship of the interior to outdoor space and surrounding landscape setting,
• the presentation and relationship of the house to the street and neighbourhood.

The second was the question of how to implement the alterations and additions to these houses in a way that reduces the impact on residents during the construction process. Off-site prefabrication has been explored as a primary construction method to this end.

These combined educational units are informed by Urban Lab research on systematic approaches to retrofitting existing housing stock for better performance and inclusion. The student projects test and communicate the application of this approach at the level of individual house as well as a system with at scale application. These are described through drawings, animations, model and an exhibition that will be installed for MADA.