Description

Kennedy Nolan are excited to continue our work with Fitzroy Neighbourhood House (FNH) to help them create a new home for the organisation on Atherton Gardens Estate in Fitzroy. This project includes the refit of the disused ground floor of one of the towers to create a vibrant, functional and welcoming community space within an existing building.

The three key goals for this project were to transform the current space into a warm and welcoming neighbourhood house that was sustainable, efficient, durable, cost-effective and enjoyable to use; to complete the project on a particularly tight time and on budget while implementing innovative design solutions such as ‘design for disassembly’ to allow for reuse of materials and fixtures if or when the tenancy ends; and to create a connection to the garden, highlighting the importance of safe and welcoming outdoor spaces for gathering and connection as part of this project.

Kennedy Nolan has a strong connection with FNH and the Fitzroy neighbourhood within which FNH operates. With members of the Kennedy Nolan team having been involved with FNH as volunteers, we have a unique understanding of the character of this organisation.

What's On

Come join one of three tours with Fitzroy Neighbourhood House educators, the Kennedy Nolan project team and Wilderness Building Co crew. The tour will lead visitors through the new community spaces, discussing the consideration and construction of particular interventions, material applications and collaborative craft that brought this project to life.

FNH will also be open to everyone from 12–2pm. Delicious food will also be available for purchase throughout the day, prepared by the Neighbourhood House Catering Project.

In Collaboration With:

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  Kennedy Nolan

  Kennedy Nolan is a renowned Melbourne-based architecture and design practice founded in 1999 by Patrick Kennedy and Rachel Nolan. Known for a holistic, human-centered approach, they specialize in residential, commercial, and public projects that emphasize a strong connection between built form, interiors, and landscape

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  Fitzroy Neighbourhood House

  Fitzroy Neighbourhood House (formerly Fitzroy Learning Network) is a community hub and registered charity in Fitzroy that supports residents, specifically targeting refugees, migrants, and public housing tenants. Located at 140 Brunswick St, they offer English classes, training, food relief, and community activities to promote inclusion and skill development.

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  Wilderness Building Co.

  Wilderness Building Co is a Melbourne-based (Fitzroy, VIC) residential and commercial building firm specialized in sustainable, high-performance construction, including Passivhaus standards.