Social housing design competition announced for Hilton

Housing Minister Peter Tinley has challenged architects to put their vision to the test in a design competition that will see redevelopment of public housing in Hilton.

The Hilton Design Competition is a partnership between the Department of Communities, the Australian Institute of Architects, the Office of the Government Architect and the City of Fremantle.

The Department of Communities has a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Fremantle to promote heritage conservation of post-war homes, deconcentrate public housing in Hilton and increase the diversity of social housing through subdivision and redevelopment.

The competition brief calls for a unique concept design for two public housing dwellings up to 80 square metres each on a single lot in Hilton behind a heritage street-front property. The estimated construction cost for the project is $200,000 per dwelling, with landscaping costing about $20,000.

The competition will be in two stages. Up to four shortlisted entries from Stage One will receive an honorarium of $10,000 each and the winning entry at Stage 2 will be offered a contract to apply its model to the design of 14 new public dwellings in Hilton.

Comments attributed to Housing Minister Peter Tinley:

"In our search for a new kind of public housing, we are inviting innovative ideas for infill development that will challenge expectations and generate variety, equity and affordability.

"Well-designed public housing helps promote social diversity, reduces maintenance costs of public housing for taxpayers and improves the quality of life for its residents. Without it, many vulnerable Australians would be unable to access affordable shelter.

"The designs we are calling for will exhibit a considered relationship with Hilton's unique cultural heritage and also demonstrate a thoughtful approach to environmental sustainability and landscaping.

"From the current level of interest, I expect the competition will attract a high calibre of both emerging and experienced architects."