Public Housing Entry Foyer

Six Degrees were engaged by the Department of Health and Human Services to refurbish a tired and unwelcoming foyer at a high-rise public housing tower built in the 1960’s at Atherton Gardens Estate, Fitzroy. Extensive consultation with the Housing Office led to a design approach that aimed to challenge any public housing stigma and provide a dignified foyer space that residents would be proud to call home. Completed in April this year, the foyer was stripped back to bare structure and opened up to have a public interface with the street and to flood the space with natural light and views to the adjacent parkland. Elegant materials not normally associated with public housing such as stained glass, stainless steel and travertine stone were chosen for their warmth and robustness. The foyer design approach has empowered the residents with a feeling of worthiness, and is consequently treated with pride and respect.