“Habilis is a deeply humane and sensitive architectural response to one of society’s most urgent challenges: chronic homelessness and mental illness. Through the thoughtful adaptive reuse of a disused industrial site, this project redefines what social housing can be – in both form and function.”

“Every aspect of Habilis reflects a deep understanding of the barriers faced by its future residents: from safety and autonomy to the importance of connection and continuity of care.””

“Habilis transforms a former furniture factory in Summer Hill into secure social housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness and complex mental health conditions. This award recognises the clarity with which the project combined social purpose and adaptive reuse with architectural restraint.

Twenty compact one-bedroom homes are arranged around a landscaped courtyard.  This provides privacy, safety and community while providing direct access to on site health and support services.

The retention of the old factories on site – that required extensive mediation – reduced embodied carbon and gave the project character and economy. Other design features added warmth, accessibility and residential amenity. Double height volumes, mezzanine bedrooms, north facing glazing, acoustic control, deep landscaped zones and simple screening create safe, private and light filled homes.

Next to the Inner West’s new Greenway, Habilis offers a robust and humane model for supportive housing with lasting social value”