Seniors Cooperative Living
A model for cooperative housing developed as a flagship project for cooperative housing peak body Common Equity. Our architecture employs regenerative design principles such as obtaining a yield from the garden and rooftops and integrating rather than segregating distinct functions. The cultural diversity and varying needs of the Vietnamese residents are celebrated throughout the design.
Communal facilities
The project is characterised by diverse housing options that are complimented by a significant number of shared facilities in a productive garden setting. Our design also responds to the special needs of the Vietnamese community it houses through features such as a large communal kitchen that open onto the garden and strong connections between living rooms and shared circulation spaces.
Productive gardens
The project features outdoor kitchens, gardens to grow produce and space within the home to observe religious practices. These features have been designed as central to the project.
Part of the consultation specifically pointed towards a general desire for an architectural style commonly seen in Vietnam, referred to as the “Nha Lau” desire. This style is characterised by very skinny and tall buildings, allowing multi-generational family units to live within one building.
Shared spaces
Common spaces include community gardens, a community hall, a library, kids play area, a co-working space, washing and drying spaces, a pet yard and outdoor cooking areas.
Housing choice
A combination of Studios, Self-care Cluster Units, Family and Multi-generational Family Units make up the housing choice. Flexibility has been designed into these types so that residents can form living arrangements that best suit their changing needs.
Cooperatives are operated by tenant/members who have a common need for secure, appropriate, affordable housing and a commitment to cooperate. They are set up specifically to house people on low to moderate incomes, and to cater for groups with special needs.
In this project housing is self-managed. Cooperative members are collectively responsible for carrying out the tasks associated with maintaining and running the cooperative.
Project: Seniors Cooperative Living
Type: Residential
Description: 42 bedrooms in various configurations and communal facilities
Location: Cabramatta, NSW
Client: Common Equity
Year: 2019
Services: Architecture - Sketch Design, Development Application
Team: A RobertsDay project - Adam Russell (as Principal Architect at RobertsDay), Victor Alcami, Alice He, Holly Julian
Collaborators: Phuong Lee, Mecone Planners
Project code: CEQ-LAS