1+2 Architecture acknowledges the Palawa people as the traditional custodians of lutruwita, the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. We are committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
Blackmans Bay Independent Living Units
LOCATION + TRADITIONAL COUNTRY
The Palawa, Blackmans Bay, Tasmania
CLIENT
Not applicable
STATUS
Completed 2026
AWARDS
Not applicable
media
Not applicable
PHOTOGRAPHY
Adam Gibson
The Blackmans Bay Independent Living Units bring together ten attached dwellings and a small community centre in a beachside suburb of Hobart. Developed in response to the needs of an ageing population, the project seeks to provide residents with the independence of their own home, alongside opportunities for social connection and shared experiences.
Working closely with an aged care provider, the design balances accessibility, privacy and community within a compact residential development. A considered approach to planning and construction has enabled a cost-effective, high-quality outcome, with flexibility and long-term liveability central to the design.
KEY COLLABORATORS
+ Builder:
+ Landscape Architecture:
+ Interior Styling:
Bay Property Styling
+ Land Surveyor:
+ Quantity Surveyor:
+ Building Surveyor:
+ Structural and Hydraulic Engineering:
+ Engineering:
+Safety in Design Consultant:
Place
Set within an established beachside neighbourhood, the development adopts a two-storey terrace arrangement that accommodates increased residential density while responding to the scale and character of its suburban setting.
The elevated form allows living spaces to capture natural light and distant views, while maintaining a considered relationship with neighbouring properties. Materials and proportions draw on the surrounding residential character, allowing the development to sit comfortably within its context.
Process
Close collaboration with the aged care provider informed the planning and design of each dwelling, with particular attention given to accessibility, independence and the changing needs of residents over time.
Designed to meet the Gold Livable Housing standard, the units incorporate residential lifts to support accessibility across both levels. Efficient planning, robust materials and low-maintenance construction deliver practical, adaptable homes with a high quality of living.
The arrangement of individual dwellings alongside shared community facilities reflects a broader approach to independent living, balancing the privacy of home with opportunities for connection.
Impact
The development combines independent homes with a community centre and shared outdoor spaces, providing privacy while creating opportunities for social connection. Designed to support residents as their needs change over time, it offers an accessible, higher-density housing model for older residents within an established suburban neighbourhood
Awards + Jury Citation
