A Sense of Belonging – Hobart Women’s Shelter by Core Collective Architect and Christopher Clinton

Hobart Women’s Shelter by Core Collective Architects and Christopher Clinton Architect will provide permanent housing for women and children who face homelessness across Tasmania. These homes are uniquely designed to ensure safety and connection to the community, focusing on creating a sense of belonging through the design of spaces to nurture and share.

Constructed using modules that suit prefabrication, three types of houses can be built: linear, L-shaped or compact. Currently, there are 25 units under way, with plans to expand 25 more long-term accommodations by 2024 and more still by 2030.

Each home will be uniquely formed with thorough research into principles of trauma-informed design. A mix of public and private spaces offer physical comfort while providing a space to meet the needs of differing families. Privacy is a fundamental design focus – visual privacy is achieved through the inclusion of high windows and acoustic privacy is considered with the proximity of neighbours.

The architects emphasise sustainability through the choice of materials for durability, maintenance, and performance, as well as through solar panel installation, double-glazed windows, natural ventilation and rainwater storage. The private courtyard plantings, oriented to the north for direct sun access in winter, are drought-tolerant and low maintenance.

Privacy is a fundamental design focus – visual privacy is achieved through the inclusion of high windows.

Together, Core Collective Architects and Christopher Clinton Architect have designed a much-needed resource for the local community – an important first stage that will continue to develop in the years to come.