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Builder
Neverstop Group
Landscape
Simone Bliss Landscape Architects (SBLA) (partial pro-bono)
Photographer
Arc Media
Breathe transformed a 70s double-brick house in Melbourne’s inner north into a warm & inviting Women’s and Children’s Hub For Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Services. We adopted a light-touch, sustainably minded approach to transform the property within a tight budget, taking the client along the journey to achieve an outcome connected to place, history and culture.
The project is rooted in sustainability, functionality, and sensitivity to community needs. We aimed to reuse as much of the original house as possible, minimising waste while ensuring a meaningful upgrade. Sustainable initiatives were central, such as removing gas, electrifying the building, upgrading the hot water system, and replacing air conditioning with high-efficiency reverse cycle systems.
The design incorporates a strong landscape, developed through participatory workshops, reflecting the flow of the Merri River. The backyard has become an extension of the home, featuring nature play, a productive garden, and community-driven spaces.
Internally, the colour palette and design aim to foster a calm, healing environment. Counselling rooms are subtly themed with Breathe colours and artwork by First Nations artists, enhancing cultural connection. Adaptability was key, with spaces like the old garage transformed into a play area, and the bungalow designed as a flexible space for art, gathering, or emergency accommodation.
The project prioritises retrofit over new construction, addressing both sustainability and budget constraints while significantly reducing environmental impact. The approach emphasises participatory design, ensuring that the building meets the intricate needs of Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Services through direct input and collaboration.
Collaborators
Planning Consultant - Hansen (partial pro-bono)
Services Engineer - RBD (partial pro-bono)
Access Consultant - Access Studio (partial pro-bono)
Building Surveyor - Metro Building Surveyors (pro-bono)
Fire Engineering - NJM Design (partial pro-bono)
Novas - FF&E donated
Brickworks - Brick pavers donated
Fisher Paykel - Appliances donated
Australian Terrazzo - Terrazzo floor tiles donated
Glen Dimplex - Electric heating panels donated
Cult & Cultivated - Furniture donations
Revival Projects - Discounted, recycled timber benchtop
Beacon Lighting Preston - Discounted lighting
Nook Collections - Discounted lighting
Autex - Discounted acoustic panels
Haier - Discounted reverse cycle A/C
Ceres - Discounted logs (landscape)
Clevertronics - Discounted emergency lighting
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which EMH stands. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
Breathe transformed a 70s double-brick house in Melbourne’s inner north into a warm & inviting Women’s and Children’s Hub For Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Services. We adopted a light-touch, sustainably minded approach to transform the property within a tight budget, taking the client along the journey to achieve an outcome connected to place, history and culture.
The project is rooted in sustainability, functionality, and sensitivity to community needs. We aimed to reuse as much of the original house as possible, minimising waste while ensuring a meaningful upgrade. Sustainable initiatives were central, such as removing gas, electrifying the building, upgrading the hot water system, and replacing air conditioning with high-efficiency reverse cycle systems.
The design incorporates a strong landscape, developed through participatory workshops, reflecting the flow of the Merri River. The backyard has become an extension of the home, featuring nature play, a productive garden, and community-driven spaces.
Internally, the colour palette and design aim to foster a calm, healing environment. Counselling rooms are subtly themed with Breathe colours and artwork by First Nations artists, enhancing cultural connection. Adaptability was key, with spaces like the old garage transformed into a play area, and the bungalow designed as a flexible space for art, gathering, or emergency accommodation.
The project prioritises retrofit over new construction, addressing both sustainability and budget constraints while significantly reducing environmental impact. The approach emphasises participatory design, ensuring that the building meets the intricate needs of Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Services through direct input and collaboration.
Collaborators
Planning Consultant - Hansen (partial pro-bono)
Services Engineer - RBD (partial pro-bono)
Access Consultant - Access Studio (partial pro-bono)
Building Surveyor - Metro Building Surveyors (pro-bono)
Fire Engineering - NJM Design (partial pro-bono)
Novas - FF&E donated
Brickworks - Brick pavers donated
Fisher Paykel - Appliances donated
Australian Terrazzo - Terrazzo floor tiles donated
Glen Dimplex - Electric heating panels donated
Cult & Cultivated - Furniture donations
Revival Projects - Discounted, recycled timber benchtop
Beacon Lighting Preston - Discounted lighting
Nook Collections - Discounted lighting
Autex - Discounted acoustic panels
Haier - Discounted reverse cycle A/C
Ceres - Discounted logs (landscape)
Clevertronics - Discounted emergency lighting
Builder
Neverstop Group
Landscape
Simone Bliss Landscape Architects (SBLA) (partial pro-bono)
Photographer
Arc Media
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which EMH stands. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. Breathe acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which Breathe stands. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
