Nada Khartabil

The 1997 one storey purpose-built group home is found in an estate that is owned by Disability Housing Victoria (DHV). Occupants of the area are mostly with disabilities living in shared housing.

A transformation of a courtyard in a group home to create Entry+. A generous front porch to pause before and after entering or leaving, which creates an internal private/public zone for improved light, air and amenity.

An animation presenting the strategies behind the reconfiguration of the Bundoora estate.

View full video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOIpSsxb9wU

The limitations of the house include the linear footprint of the house, as bedrooms are on the western side, and living spaces in the east. Most of the doors and circulation are non-compliant required for those with a wheelchair. The house is also dark due to the lack of Northern sunlight and long corridor. Bedrooms are also located at entry which can create disturbance throughout different times of the day. Privacy is also very limited, where bedroom openings are in direct view of other tenants. There are also only two toilets in the entire building, which can be difficult for three tenants and a carer to share. Finally, there is no clear space for the carer except for a closed office.

The proposed design includes certain strategies that help improve amenity, light, air, and accessibility. With a new entryway, tenants are no longer arriving near the bedrooms and now instead have a space to pause. The internal space has been redefined to ensure that all occupants have access to their own enlarged bedroom, ensuite and courtyard. Privacy and noise travel has also been carefully considered in the configuration of the home.

Internal view showing how the space has opened up windows and added glass doors to access views, northern sunlight, air and outdoor space.

Axonometrics presenting how the bathroom pods and courtyard renovation could be prefabricated off site to help limit time and costs spent in redeveloping the house. This reduces the amount of time required to temporarily move and house tenants.