Hillside is an approx. $3m community care facility being developed with Homes Victoria. Based around the core and cluster model, this project comprises six dwellings and an administration and support buildilng, with associated communal play areas and landscaping.

Designed to be simple, elegant, welcoming and robust, the project drew on existing precedent for similar facilities being rolled out Victoria-wide, but with adaptations and tweaks to improve and enhance their performance. This included:

A dedicated entry area and ‘vestibule’, providing a space of relief before entering the dwelling proper - room for prams, luggage, coats, and toys. This space also enhanced the sense of privacy and protection of the rest of the dwelling, diminishing the ‘motel’ problem of all dwellings being accessed from a shared thoroughfare.

A focus on passive ESD initatives including window screening, enhanced eaves, orientation to north light where possible, and the use of cross-ventilation to bedrooms where possible.

Separate toilet facilities and the inclusions of baths suitable for young children throughout the facility. In fact, the design of the development generally as a significantly enhanced focus on children appreciating the nature of the anticipated end users.