The Cocoon, an innovative social housing initiative by Melbourne-based charity Bridge It, provides young women at risk of homelessness with a secure place to call home. This transformative project has turned a 1860s building into a modern, supportive environment with 16 self-contained studio apartments. These apartments are dedicated to young women aged 17-21 who have experienced foster care, crisis accommodation, or homelessness.
Carla Raynes, founder of Bridge It, has been the driving force behind the project, bringing over two decades of experience in the homelessness sector. Along with her sister Jenna Wilson, Bridge It’s intake and partnerships coordinator, Carla has created a space that offers not just housing, but a sense of security and belonging.
The renovation of this property has been made possible thanks to generous contributions from industry partners, including over $1.5 million in donated products and pro bono work.
We have been proud to be involved in this project, providing architectural design and planning services. Our work on The Cocoon focused on creating a functional yet beautiful space that balances the practical needs of social housing with the importance of emotional and sensory well-being. From the design of the private studio apartments to the communal areas like The Butterfly Room, The Hub, and The Retreat, we worked closely with the team to ensure the building fosters a sense of safety, comfort, and community for its residents.
The 24-month renovation was a collaborative effort with builder Mirvac, key consultants RPS Group, SEMZ, Simon Ellis, BRT, Codus, and Urbis, and suppliers including Dulux, Interface, Smeg, Laminex, and Kogan. In addition, Dulux generously funded First Nations artist Emma Hollingsworth to create a mural for the project. Which she hopes invokes a sense of happiness, peace and calm in this new space for young women.
The end result is a space that feels more like a home than typical social housing, providing young women with a place to heal, grow, and rebuild their lives.
At The Cocoon, Bridge It aims to offer young women a safe and supportive environment where they can stabilise their lives, pursue education, and prepare for independent living. The project exemplifies the potential for social housing to be more than just a roof over one’s head—it can be a space that nurtures dignity, recovery, and hope. Through this initiative, Bridge It hopes to inspire a model of care that can be replicated across the country to address youth homelessness in Australia. Link to Project Page.
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