Biyani House opens new modular units for women and children in crisis

The completion of new modular homes at Biyani House in Revesby follows the August installation of a double-storey modular extension delivered by Modular by SHAPE during Homelessness Week 2025. That earlier phase introduced eight prefabricated units—studio dwellings, a refurbished two-bedroom unit and a central support hub—demonstrating how offsite construction can accelerate safe-housing delivery in metropolitan Sydney while allowing existing refuge operations to continue. (credit image Cassandra Hannagan)

The newly opened four-unit addition builds on that work and was launched on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Funded through the NSW Government’s $2.4 million Core and Cluster programme, the project provides independent living spaces for up to six women and their children. Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) reports a 20% increase in requests for assistance over the past year, with one in two women seeking help still turned away due to limited available beds.

Prefabricated in Victoria over a 10-week period and craned into position in August, the new units enabled onsite works to be completed within 16 weeks. The reduced disruption to day-to-day operations was a central consideration for the Biyani House team.

Deb Sarkar, Chair of Biyani House, said the construction model helped protect continuity of service. “This innovative construction approach has meant that the modules could be built offsite while services continued at Biyani House, minimising the time the service was shut for renovation. We’re really excited to welcome more women and children to our shelter and provide them with a space that is safe, private, warm and dignified.”

Partners highlight modular design, delivery certainty and resident-led outcomes

SHAPE Australia managed the prefabrication and onsite delivery. CEO Peter Marix-Evans said the project illustrates how modular construction can respond to urgent community needs. “SHAPE was able to deliver this project in half the time of traditional building methods, fast-tracking urgently needed safe havens for women and children. We’re proud to have been part of Sydney’s first modular crisis accommodation project, which paves the way for modular solutions that can help meet the growing demand for social and affordable housing across New South Wales.”

Architectural design was led by Das Studio, with an emphasis on warm, secure and trauma-informed environments shaped through resident consultation. Director Dino Vrynios said, “It was essential that these units feel like real homes—warm, dignified, and far removed from outdated perceptions of modular housing. This project now stands as a demonstrator that makes a compelling case for developing a pattern book of pre-approved modular designs to accelerate the delivery of crisis shelter infrastructure across NSW.”

The project provides additional self-contained accommodation and demonstrates how modular construction can support faster and more predictable delivery of crisis housing across Australia.

Find Women’s Community Shelters HERE
Modular by Shape HERE
Das Studio HERE