Architecture prize for Bunbury hostel

An affordable housing complex in Bunbury has picked up a prize at this month’s Architects’ WA Architecture Awards.

The Victoria Street Hostel won the multiple housing category in the Residential Architecture Award for its clever design on a constrained budget.

Designed by Perth-based architects Gresley Abas, the building features a folded aluminium screen along the street frontage designed by artist Rick Vermey.

Architect Ahmad Abas said the design focussed on giving the building less of an institutional feel through the use of angled hallways and smaller spaces.

He said they had tried to bring a level of comfort and dignity to the building.

“We did a fair bit of research and visited a lot of existing hostels, ” Mr Abas said.

“There are no large spaces, there are pocket-sized spaces and all the rooms face north or south so they get a good quantity of light.”

The hostel’s tenancy services manager Matina Aitken said the building combined residential areas and commercial spaces that helped fund the affordable housing.

“You can’t expect people to take pride if you don’t provide them with a clean, well maintained place, ” Ms Aitken said.

“Our ethos is that people have the right to a peaceful and safe existence.”