Sophie Tuck

This housing typology, inspired by the traditional Australian homestead, is aimed at professionals involved with practising traditional crafts such as pottery, basket weaving and leather workers.

As these individuals are working in traditional ways, the design reflects this, by providing a contemporary adaptation of traditional Australian architecture through exploring elements such as the pitched roof, veranda and materiality.

Within the profession, there is great importance on working in traditional ways to create high quality, unique and durable pieces. Despite their skill, many are unable to sustain themselves through their craft making alone. Instead, their income is supplemented through teaching and creative workshops. Hence why within the design, each unit had access to a personal workshop space that can be used for individual work or studio classes. Ideas of uniqueness and references to the handmade nature of these crafts is referenced through the more traditional timber frame construction technique, and the 3 different forms of units, which create a dynamic design different to the copy and paste townhouse typology.

Like many other creative industries, people working in the traditional craft profession, have a strong sense of community. So a design that encourages this connection would be pertinent to these professionals. And through the application of the veranda, professionals can connect, share and discuss their work with others in and outside of the development.

This project attempts to provide affordable and engaging housing to help retain these creative individuals in our cities and to help protect, save and promote traditional crafting techniques.