A Respectful Haven – AHV Reservoir by Breathe

Addressing the shortage of affordable and appropriate housing for Australia’s First Nations people, AHV (Aboriginal Housing Victoria) has engaged Breathe to deliver a multi-residential social housing project in Reservoir, in Melbourne’s north.

Exemplified in AHV’s approach is the demonstration of resilience as the community-led organisation endeavours to create quality housing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Australia’s First Nations population is disproportionately impacted by social adversities that are entrenched in systematic dispossession and dislocation. Although manifold, one facet of remediation sees AHV’s determination to secure access to housing that affords residents autonomy, community and safety.

The design and materiality of the project, funded by the Victorian Government’s Social Housing Growth Fund, responds acutely to its urban setting and the collective experiences of the tenants it will serve as a haven for.

Breathe’s breadth of work focuses on realising meaningful, positive impact through its projects. The partnership sees its architecture and design team work extensively through close conscious consultation with AHV to ensure cultural sensitivities and needs are carefully considered and reverently applied.

The design and materiality of the project, funded by the Victorian Government’s Social Housing Growth Fund, responds acutely to its urban setting and the collective experiences of the tenants it will serve as a haven for. Striving to improve the strength of communities, AHV established that the projected need for 5,085 additional social housing units for Aboriginal families by 2036 would require a substantial rise in availability of housing stock. This prompted a shift from traditional single dwelling housing to a site that encompasses 14 one- and two-bedroom apartments that are well placed for access to public transport, job opportunities and community services such as the Aboriginal Community Services precinct on Bell Street.

A concerted effort was taken by Breathe to listen and learn from AHV’s understanding of residents’ needs to ensure a respectful intersection of design ideas.

Further informing the project, a concerted effort was taken by Breathe to listen and learn from AHV’s understanding of residents’ needs to ensure a respectful intersection of design ideas. Breathe’s pillars of sustainability, use of locally-made products and the integral incorporation of First Nations’ connection to Country reveals a resulting material palette consisting of warm interior joinery, carbon neutral bricks donated by Brickworks, natural cork floors, artworks by First Nations artists and concealed services to deliver an inviting and affable environment.

Sensitive to the potentially triggering nature of material reductionism and exposed services for individuals who may hold traumas relating to negative institutional experiences, AHV Reservoir reinforces the pivotal role conscious design can take in shaping a sense of wellbeing. Through First Nations guidance, the project prioritises the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in creating a safe place to call home.

This project has been funded by the Victorian Government’s Social Housing Growth Fund. For more information, visit: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-social-housing-growth-fund