Solace by Six Degrees | Deakin University Geelong
Solace – Where Transition Finds Peace, is a six-storey transitional living facility set on a 3,143.42 m2 site in Geelong. Designed to accommodate 41 diverse dwelling units for individuals and families, the proposal directly addresses the challenge of creating resilient, adaptable, and socially impactful prefabricated infrastructure.
Using the Flexi-Build system—featuring CLT floor slabs, modular steel partition walls, and hydronic ceiling panels— the project enables high configurability. Units are arranged on a 5×5 m grid, allowing rooms to be merged or divided as needed, with peripheral corridors and convertible terraces encouraging social interaction and autonomy over time.
The proposal embraces systems thinking: off-site manufacturing reduces waste, time, and neighborhood disruption. On-site logistics are streamlined despite the site's dense, mixed-use urban setting near Princes Highway. Passive design strategies are supported by durable materials like Hebel PowerPattern cladding, while rooftop 450W solar panels generate ~220,000 kWh/year - reinforcing net-zero energy ambitions.A 47,000 L rainwater harvesting system and integrated services further enhance sustainability.
Estimated at $52.86M, Solace meets both economic and performance criteria. The design is scalable, sustainable, and replicable, making it a compelling solution for future-ready social infrastructure that aligns with the challenge’s emphasis on innovation, wellbeing, and prefabricated delivery.
