Supported Accommodation
Client: The Society of St Vincent de Paul
Location: Sydney, NSW (Dharawal Land)

Constructive Dialogue were engaged to design a cluster of self-contained units to replace a shared living, institutional building. The brief focused on the need to balance independence of family units with communal facilities (gardens, children’s program areas and counselling services). The design was developed through collaboration with counselling staff following participation by project architects in existing programs run by the service. Key design elements included:
- establishing a safe, contained site
- creating the appearance of standard townhouses from the street
- arranging some family rooms, decks and pathways around an active garden
- providing each unit with rooms that maximised privacy
- reinforcing the safety of the site
- developing flexible rooms to accommodate women with up to six children
- establishing a children’s play and learning centre at the heart of the site

Sam Donnelly’s design guide for refuge accommodation for women and children