Studio 16

Satellite House

Joel Benichou | Living + Process Focus

This studio is available to students enrolled in ABPL90142 Studio C, ABPL90143 Studio D, and ABPL90115 Studio E.

Studio Description

Melbourne is the fourth-fastest growing, developed city on the planet today. As the city swells, a growing number of Melburnians are looking away from the financial and social stresses of life in the city and are considering the benefits of an alternative life in the regional areas of Victoria. Young families eager for an affordable tree change are spreading their search farther and wider in the pursuit of a suitable family home.

With advancements in digital connectivity and remote working positions, along with the desire of more people to live regionally, an opportunity exists to generate a new housing typology that could serve the growing number of disillusioned city-dwellers. Studio 16 will explore the idea of a Satellite House. As an alternative to the promotion of Satellite Cities, Satellite House will provide an option for micro communities to be dispersed throughout Victoria. With capacity for decentralised working and onsite income generation, these homesteads could facilitate a financially viable alternative to city living whilst also providing families the luxury of space and access to the natural environment.

Studio Outcome

This semester, the students of Studio 16 will develop a group housing option in a low impact, self-sustaining, micro-community for clients that are eager to move away from the increasingly dense and busy city environment. Satellite House Studio will explore the notion of a rural, co-housing option that will house three client groups, allowing them to pool their resources and capitalise on the benefits of living together in the country.

The first stage of the project will see students develop a series of mini cabins on the property. This will help create an income stream for the clients and facilitate a financially viable transition from the city. The remainder of the semester will be spent developing a proposal for a shared homestead on the property. Included in the homestead will be the living requirements for the three client groups along with facilities for onsite working or income generation. Satellite House Studio will offer students an opportunity to develop their own individual and creative design process while providing valuable insight into the design of housing at different scales.

Studio Leader

JOEL BENICHOU is owner and principal architect of the practice Benichou Architects. Joel studied architecture at the University of Western Australia completing his Master of Architecture qualification focusing his independent research on modular pre‐fabrication and residential design. Joel has had experience with some of the leading residential design practices in Australia working on a wide range of projects. Joel has also contributed to the architectural discourse having previously led Design Studios at the University of Melbourne and RMIT. Joel is currently registered as Architect in Victoria under the certification of the ARBV.

Travel TBA | Week 2

Schedule Mondays 12:00-15:00 and Thursdays 15:15-18:15 in MSD Room 241

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