As housing demand grows, we must rethink what "good housing" means and embrace higher-density living. While many still see single-family homes as ideal, this model is increasingly unsustainable. However, high-density apartments, while efficient, often fall short in fostering a sense of community. Too often, these spaces prioritise functionality over human connection, leading to environments that feel impersonal and disconnected. How can the spaces we create foster meaningful connections, not just provide shelter? This question guided my approach, aiming to create environments where social engagement is not an afterthought, but an integral part of the living experience.
Exterior Render
The site presents several challenges, particularly the underutilized laneway. To activate this space and encourage its use, I’ve designed the programs to spill out, creating an inviting, open environment. By blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor areas, the design fosters a sense of accessibility and encourages people to engage with the space more freely. This approach aims to transform the laneway into a vibrant, community-oriented area that feels both welcoming and functional.
Ground Floor Plan
My goal is to design programs that breathe new life into the area. A key strategy for revitalization is creating co-working spaces that support the growing trend of hybrid working. As work-from-home becomes more common, I aim to design a flexible environment where people from the public or residents can work, collaborate, and engage with the community, helping to attract people back into the area. I’ve also included a café at the front—not only to serve co-working users but also to preserve the original shopfront’s public connection. Additionally, a courtyard opens up the space, encouraging activities to spill out and further integrate the design with the surrounding community.
Unit Floor Plans
The units are designed as two-story spaces, with public areas such as the kitchen, dining, bathroom, and living room on the ground floor, and private areas like the bedroom on the upper level. This layout helps delineate spaces while preventing overcrowding rooms on any single floor. The units are intentionally kept at the recommended size to encourage residents to engage and utilise the building's communal spaces, which includes the shared veranda. This approach not only maintains distinct private and public areas but also fosters a sense of connection, promoting interaction and a stronger communal atmosphere, rather than isolating residents in their individual apartments.
Exterior Render
This render illustrates how residents are intended to use the space—to meet, gather, and connect. The design encourages interaction and creates a welcoming environment where people can come together, fostering a strong sense of community.
In the spirit of reconciliation Monash University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
