Melbourne's Studio Bright Conceals Strict Disability Housing Codes Within Homey Barn Forms
Studio Bright, based in Melbourne, has finalized the construction of two courtyard homes designed for individuals with significant intellectual disabilities in the northern suburbs of the city. Commissioned by Disability Homes Victoria as part of the NDIS Robust design category, the project integrates over forty essential doors, anti-ligature fixtures, and fire-engineered escape routes into a residential setting. The two L-shaped units consist of a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom unit, sharing a communal staff area and designed for optimal natural light and airflow. The use of particleboard-reinforced walls, impact-resistant cladding, and color-treated vinyl creates a non-clinical atmosphere. Amenities include a deep-blue sensory room and a garden-view bath to aid self-regulation. As a sustainability pilot, it features solar power, rainwater collection, and mechanical ventilation. Mel Bright, the principal, remarked to ArchitectureAu, "This project is bigger than its footprint."
Key facts
- Studio Bright designed a Specialist Disability Accommodation project in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
- The project is for two residents with severe intellectual disabilities.
- It was commissioned by Disability Homes Victoria under the NDIS Robust design category.
- More than forty doors and anti-ligature fixtures are integrated into the design.
- The project consists of two L-shaped units with walled courtyards and a shared staff area.
- Materials include particleboard-reinforced walls, steel door frames, and color-treated vinyl.
- A sensory room painted deep blue and a bath overlooking a garden support resident self-regulation.
- The project serves as a pilot for improved environmental standards, with solar generation, rainwater harvesting, and mechanical ventilation.
Entities
Artists
- Mel Bright
Institutions
- Studio Bright
- Disability Homes Victoria
- Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- ArchitectureAu
- MI—JI
Locations
- Melbourne
- Victoria
- Australia