Alissa Mariano

The suburb of Preston, as most suburban areas in Melbourne, shows a clear delineation of its housing perimeters, where the idea of a close-knit community can sometimes seem out of reach. The aim of my project is to reconfigure the existing suburban fabric, from defined autonomous blocks to functioning clusters, which bring forth micro-communities within the project site. The design aims to encourage a mix of co-dependency and individuality; by developing various scales of shared spaces; from small pockets of gatherings for residents to large open areas dedicated to neighbourhood interactions. Living areas will cross different thresholds of spaces, encouraging a blend of lifestyles and activities within the co-housing complex. Furthermore, this strategy brings forth self-sufficiency within each cluster by providing spaces for site grown produce and goods exchange, integrating a sense of livelihood within communal living.