New social housing complex in Melbourne provides discreet accommodation for women

A new $23.6-million social housing complex with 53 all-electric apartments has been established on the site of a former three-bedroom home in Melbourne.

Known as Women's Housing Limited - West, the building provides stable, long-term homes for up to 100 individuals including First Nations women and women fleeing family violence. The complex is the latest in a series of projects designed by Clarke Hopkins Clarke for Women's Housing Limited (WHL) in partnership with Urbanxchange.

The five-storey residential block comprises 53 one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, each of which has been designed to meet the Livable Housing Design Guidelines.

The facade of the interconnected townhouses has been designed to be inconspicuous, helping to destigmatize social housing by blending into the residential landscape.

According to the design statement: "A robust podium provides strong presence at ground level, utilizing low-profile blockwork to invoke a residential home feel. Upper levels use lighter forms of low-profile aluminium cladding and warm, timber-look cladding to visually deconstruct the apartment form into a refined town-home typology from the street."

Controlled access systems, passive surveillance areas and considered lighting, glazing and screening were carefully integrated throughout the building to establish safe and secure accommodation. A communal courtyard enables passive surveillance of children while they play.

The building's entrance area incorporates bike storage zones, a shaded communal lawn and an on-site housing manager's office. A playful entrance artwork by Yorta Yorta and Taungurung designer Tahnee Edwards seeks to create a welcoming, warm and pleasant atmosphere. "Distinctive colourways assist with wayfinding and imbue each level with its own distinct personality. The addition of vinyl prints will celebrate Woi-wurrung language and uplifting imagery such as local birds in flight," the design statement says.

Passive environmental design principles were prioritized to minimize manual requirements for heating and cooling. Apartments are well insulated and naturally lit with windows that have been carefully positioned for cross-ventilation and visual access to communal spaces.

The rear courtyard by John Patrick Landscape Architects has been designed to be "flexible" and to provide residents with options for nature immersion, play, rest, leisure and group or social activities. Generous planters, timber seating, ambient lighting and native plantings have been introduced in the shared courtyard.

WHL, which funded the project in partnership with Homes Victoria, owns the building and will manage the site.