Viv’s Place, designed by ARM for Launch Housing, provides a secure, permanent refuge for women and children fleeing family violence and homelessness in Melbourne. Named after Launch Housing’s first social worker, Vivian McCutcheon, the seven-storey build-to-rent project offers 60 apartments designed for maximum flexibility. Half of these units are dual-key, allowing adaptable living arrangements for diverse resident needs.

The concept draws inspiration from New York’s longstanding Sugar Hill project by Broadway Housing Communities, which has successfully provided supportive housing for families for three decades. Like Sugar Hill, Viv’s Place integrates on-site services tailored to residents, creating a self-sustaining community and sanctuary for over 60 women and 130 children.

In awarding Viv’s Place, the judges highlighted its pioneering approach to social housing in Australia, particularly its innovative dual-key design for flexible occupancy. The project’s dual awards recognise its role as a model for future developments aimed at meeting the needs of vulnerable populations and enhancing community support within urban settings.

“The Australian Apartment Advocacy lives by a number of core values – passionate, tenacious, trailblazers, best practice and empowerment,” says Australian Apartment Advocacy (AAA) CEO and founder Samantha Reece.

“We have seen ARM Architecture and Launch Housing with Viv’s Place set the path for long term domestic violence shelter and accommodation,” Ms Reece says.