Department of Environment Land Water & Planning
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The Future Homes design competition is an opportunity to improve medium density housing through by rethinking the planning process.
We worked with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to help launch a new affordable housing design competition.
The Future Homes design competition formed an opportunity to improve medium density housing by rethinking the planning process. It engaged the architectural community to create housing typologies that would improve apartment quality, reduce uncertainty and risk, and streamline the planning process. Ultimately, the intention of the design competition was to help address the growing housing affordability crisis.
Our Process
STAGE 1 — DISCOVER
We worked with the project team to uncover the objectives of the design competition to better express the visual identity. By designing a survey for professionals in the industry (architects, interior designers and planners) we determined the key factors that would influence a team or individual to want to contribute to the competition and also to participate in consultation in the future around apartment standards and legislation.STAGE 2 — DEFINE
With the help of 12 influential design and architecture studios, we uncovered key insights and challenges that would influence both the visual identity and the competition itself. Through this consultation process we identified that the visual identity needed to look aspirational to appeal to the design community, and highlight the desire for an innovative approach to apartment design. Simultaneously the brand needed to appeal to the general public and communicate the feeling of home.STAGE 3 — DESIGN
The visual identity was crafted in line with the objectives of the competition. Designs were to be adaptable and modular, incorporating both interior and exterior spaces, and to focus on liveability. Local Peoples created a design system that subtly referenced beautiful living spaces that could be adapted to different uses. The typeface was customised to create a futuristic feel, and this was balanced with the organic shapes of the illustration style to humanise the brand.STAGE 4 — DELIVER
The visual identity was then executed across a 50 page design brief, stationery suite and website landing page. The result was a brand that spoke to both target audiences of the design community and the general public, while adhering to Victorian Government brand guidelines.
To launch the competition to the design community, we have supported DELWP to build a brand strategy, identity and community engagement plan to attract the support of the architectural and the design community, while also appealing to the general public in the later stages of the project.
Results
12
Architects engaged in co-design process100
Attendees at launch event
