Project Independence

Project Independence targets delivery of supportive housing for people with a mild intellectual or physical disability. The ACT government Community Services Directorate (CSD) partnered with Project Independence to deliver this innovative and highly original project by providing land and funding for the developments in Harrison and Latham. Each development accommodates 10 residents and one resident coordinator across three separate dwellings with shared common outdoor areas. Each unit has been designed to support independent living with separate living and bedroom areas and a private outdoor recreational area. The accommodation, which also facilitates a support staff member living on-site, assists young adults gain experience living independently. It is envisioned that these residents will age-in-place with design consideration given to the breadth of disabilities of the mildly intellectually or physically disabled and to the aged. The Harrison development also includes duplex townhouse designed to meet CSD design guidelines for supportive housing and the Liveable Housing Australia Gold standard. The architectural character for both developments, while distinctive with elements such as feature cladding, skillion roof forms and associated clerestory glazing, ensure they sit comfortably in the broader context.