Bluefield Housing

urban infill housing research by Damian Madigan

Innovation in Social Housing

A collaborative study with government and UniSA architecture students, looking at new forms of social housing in South Australia for the over-50s.
A photograph of the Innovation in Social Housing design report.

Innovation in Social Housing was a partnership between Housing SA (who own the Government’s housing assets), Renewal SA (who are responsible for managing their procurement and delivery), and the South Australian Department for Health’s Office for Ageing Well (who strategise and advise on positive health outcomes for older people). The project is the first stage of the development of new design briefs for Housing SA projects aimed specifically for older tenants.

This Design Principles Report was undertaken with Master of Architecture students of the University of South Australia as a response to observations during project workshops involving current social housing tenants and housing industry members. Design Principles that respond to the concerns and desires of tenants and industry representatives are described in this report, along with precedents of housing projects that offer tangible examples of innovative design approaches.

Drawings by research assistants Rupert Piccoli, Ed Ramsay and Jacqueline Stacey:

A diagram by UniSA architecture students from the "Innovation in Social Housing" project. The diagram shows alternative ways to arrange the housing to foster connectivity.
A diagram by UniSA architecture students from the "Innovation in Social Housing" project. The diagram shows the importance of designing clear wall space that allows loose items to be housed.
A diagram by UniSA architecture students from the "Innovation in Social Housing" project. The diagram shows alternative uses for a single-car garage.
A diagram by UniSA architecture students from the "Innovation in Social Housing" project. The diagram shows adaptable spaces within the floor plan and section.
A diagram by UniSA architecture students from the "Innovation in Social Housing" project. The diagram shows how the perimeters of apartment buildings can be configured to create landscaped buffers between private spaces and public balconies.
A diagram by UniSA architecture students from the "Innovation in Social Housing" project. The diagram shows how angled balconies can create more generous outdoor space.
Download the Design Report

Recommended citation:
Madigan, Damian. “Innovation in Social Housing 90 Day Project: Design Principles Report.” Adelaide: University of South Australia, 2017.