Statewide Child and Family Centre by Kerstin Thompson Architects and BLOXAS

In 2018, the Victorian Government established a Royal Commission into the state’s mental health system, which saw over 12,500 contributions from the community inform a final report outlining priority recommendations, with an emphasis on improved access. Integral to providing future foundations for the overhauled system are plans for a Statewide Child and Family Centre, which has been designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects and BLOXAS.

Located in Melbourne’s north, the centre has now reached construction phase following two years of dedicated research by the project team, which reviewed clinical literature and consulted experts, potential referees and collaborators across Victoria. From this research, a model was created to drive a highly sensitive approach to the design and development of a place that will provide innovative care to Victorian children experiencing complex mental health problems.

The design remains agile to the specialised support needs of children up to 12 years of age. Fundamentally, it is intended as a place that exudes empathetic care within an environment modulating between innovation and domesticity. Operated by Austin Health’s Child and Youth Mental Health Service, the design has been devised by Kerstin Thompson Architects and BLOXAS to bolster an innovative level of care through the realisation of a spatial typology that accedes to it.

A highly sensitive approach to design and development cultivate a place that will provide innovative care to Victorian children experiencing complex mental health problems.

Veering away from institutional design cues, the Statewide Child and Family Centre will cultivate a comfortable environment where children’s natural dynamics can be observed and family-focused therapy is offered alongside support for issues such as medication management, dispute resolution, school refusal and challenging behaviour. Intentionally blending into its residential context without drawing unnecessary attention, the centre caters for up to three families at a time, using 12 beds in a flexible way. Private rooms are arranged around shared living spaces that include kitchen, dining, lounge and laundry, family activity areas, outdoor garden areas and clinical consulting areas.

The Statewide Child and Family Centre is presently unique in Australia in its model of care for this group of children. Taking a research-led approach, Kerstin Thompson Architects and BLOXAS set a precedent for the future development of empathetic architectural environments that respond specifically to supporting mental health.

Veering away from institutional design cues, the Statewide Child and Family Centre will cultivate a comfortable environment where children’s natural dynamics can be observed.