Hi! My name is Austin Trinh and my project is Sunbury Prop Worx. It is a prop workshop and creative hub in Jacksons Hill designed to support prop storage, assembly, and small scale set creation. The project reimagines the site with a balance of functional workspace and reflective outdoor areas. My aim was to create thoughtful interventions that would connect the workshop to nature and the site’s history, encouraging both productivity, reflection and moments of pause.
Outside Perspective View
The idea for this project began with the community’s wish for a proper prop workshop. The nearby theatre has always been a hub for local creativity, but it lacked a dedicated space for building and testing sets and props. Sunbury Prop Worx is designed to finally fill that gap as it is a place that supports both the theatre and the people who bring its performances to life.
Floor Plan
The new structure sits beside the existing toilets of the Refractory Ward. These toilets act as a threshold, positioned between the two wings of the workshop. On the left side, there’s the loading access, storage space, and assembly area where props can be tested or fitted before heading to the theatre. On the right side, you’ll find the indoor and outdoor workspaces and a ventilated machine shop.
At the front of both wings, two zen gardens frame the workshop. Each garden follows traditional design rules with sand, rocks, and native Australian plants arranged to flow like water, creating small pockets for observation and interaction bringing a sense of calm to a busy environment.
Sectional View 2
One of the defining gestures of the design is the outdoor workspace that wraps around a pre-existing tree. Rather than removing it, the roof opens up to allow the tree to continue growing freely, becoming a focal point and a natural shading device for that area.
Between the toilets and the two wings, narrow pockets fill the small gaps. These areas introduce planting and offer quiet seating spaces, creating a more private environment for rest and observation. At the same time roof beams intersect with the old structure physically separating the new from the old while still creating a visual and structural dialogue connecting the contemporary workshop to Sunbury’s heritage
Sectional View 1
The roof form follows the same angles as the existing toilet block, maintaining visual continuity with the heritage structure. However, it also incorporates clerestory windows, which introduce soft, indirect daylight into the workspace creating comfortable conditions without harsh glare.
Inside Perspective View
Overall, Sunbury Prop Worx is about more than just making props, it's about reviving a culture of craft in Sunbury. It’s a place where craft, performance, and community come together, supporting both people and ideas in their creation.
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.
