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Victorian architecture practice designs modular homes for women and children escaping domestic violence.
The housing and affordability crisis that directly impacts vulnerable and at-risk women and children seeking relief from domestic violence were front-of-mind when Victorian architecture practice, Schored, designed a series of modular homes. (main pic: Schored Designs. Modular home to be built by students for women and children escaping domestic violence.)
The project is in collaboration with a Ballarat-based initiative called Homes to Help, which is a partnership between Platinum Institute Australia (PIA), a registered training organisation providing disadvantaged students with applicable training in the construction industry, and non-profit community housing provider Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI).
The modular home design from Schored has multiple configurations, and each three-bedroom home contains large rooms, bathrooms and features an outdoor play area. The modular homes are designed specifically with families and young children in mind.
“Good design should be available to all and not just the few that can afford our skill set,” said Schored director Sophie Dyring,
Designing social housing that isn’t ‘obviously social housing’ was a clear consideration to avoid any kind of stigma, according to Dyring.
“Our designs consider passive design principles: we orientate living rooms and external spaces to the north and we look at how the form can provide passive shading and cross ventilation, because those things don’t cost any more to help a home run efficiently – they’re just good design outcomes and help reduce running cost for tenants,” said Dyring.
The project will involve up to 16 students building the initial modular home under the supervision of registered builder-trainers, and will be bought and managed by WPI as part of its affordable housing stock in Ballarat.
PIA chief executive Damian Faulkhead said along with providing women and children in need a secure and safe home, the initiative would provide training and employment opportunities for the PIA students tasked with the build.
Homes for Help project partner Steve Michelson of Michelson Alexander said 10 prototypes will be rolled out in 2023 in Ballarat to provide affordable housing stock in the region.
Source: Architectureau
