Community Involvement

Department of Human Services

The Victorian Government has a commitment to assisting seniors and those with disabilities to remain living independently within their own homes and community networks for as long as practicable. The Home Renovation Service was developed to deliver this assistance.

In 1998, the Department of Human Services (DHS) enlisted Archicentre Limited to extend the service and improve the lifestyle opportunities of Victorians. Since then, Archicentre has completed more than 50,000 inspections for Victorian homeowners (and tenants since 2006) who are 60 years of age or over and those who have a disability, or care for a person with a disability.

The free inspection is designed to help older Victorians remain living independently by identifying what works need to be done to make the home a healthy and safe place to live. A low-interest Home Renovation Loan of up to $25,000 is also available to carry out necessary repairs.

Click on the Safe and Sound brochure image to view Archicentre’s fourth publication on the housing
profile of older Victorians.

Melbourne Architecture Annual

MA|A is a Melbourne-wide festival that explores your city, your home and your architecture. MA|A is an abbreviation of Melbourne Architecture Annual and is part of National Architecture Week activities organised by the Australian Institute of Architects.

2011 Theme - What Makes a Home?

• Is it a house on a quarter acre block?
• Can it be a town house or apartment?
• Maybe even a small section of footpath?
• Or is it something else?
• Perhaps something less about building and more about people and community?

MA|A will explore the physical and not so physical aspects that together create something we call home. 

Melbourne Open House

Melbourne Open House unlocks your city and you’ll be able to explore incredible buildings for free. Residents, visitors, families, design buffs, architecture fans – absolutely anyone who loves Melbourne is invited to explore great contemporary, historic and sustainable buildings and spaces.

Melbourne Open House is a not-for-profit association that runs annual events providing the public a free and rare opportunity to discover a hidden wealth of architectural, engineering and historic buildings nestled around the city. The inaugural MOH 2008 event saw 8 buildings open and more than 30,000 visits across the day. Since then, the event has grown and the 2010 event expanded to 59 buildings, incorporating Docklands in addition to Melbourne’s CBD. Melbourne Open House 2011 was run in association with the State of Design Festival and provided free access to 75 Melbourne landmarks.

Melbourne Fire Brigade
Winter Fire Safety Campaign

More home fires occur during winter than at any other time of the year and the majority of these are preventable, which is why MFB and CFA are calling on all Victorians to be vigilant this winter.

The theme of this year’s Winter Fire Safety Campaign is: Keep Fire Out Of Your Home This Winter – Be Vigilant.

• Be vigilant – protect your home and family
• Have a working smoke alarm
• Keep a fire blanket and extinguisher in the kitchen
• Check your hotspots
• Teach children to be careful around fire
• Know how to get out of your house if there’s a fire

The MFB and CFA with the ongoing support of Archicentre and Energy Safe Victoria continue to promote the Winter Fire Safety Campaign messages to Victorians.  Winter is a high risk time for fires in the home mostly due to high use of heaters, fires and distractions whilst cooking. Archicentre through its home inspection program advocates key fire safety messages through its network of Accredited Architects and the testing/promotion of working smoke alarms.

Archicentre is a proud supporter of the joint MFB/CFA annual Winter Fire Safety Campaign and will be providing free information about smoke alarms to all DHS clients from June1-August 31st.

Robin Boyd Foundation

The Foundation has been established in conjunction with Robin Boyd’s family. It is a separate legal entity, a registered charity with its own constitution, with members representing the Boyd family, the Australian Institute of Architects (Victoria Chapter), the three faculties of architecture at University of Melbourne, Deakin University and RMIT University, and others with expertise, interest and commitment to the advancement of design.

The Robin Boyd Foundation was established in January 2005. The Hon. Gough Whitlam is the Founding Patron of the Foundation.

The Robin Boyd Foundation is a membership based organisation. Membership of the Foundation is open to individuals, educational institutions, companies and corporations. The Robin Boyd Foundation operates from Walsh Street, the South Yarra house which Boyd designed for himself and his family in 1958.

The Robin Boyd Foundation will continue the work and spirit of Robin Boyd through an active, innovative and ongoing series of public learning programs developed to increase individual and community awareness, understanding and participation in design. Archicentre is a proud sponsor and recently supported the Warrandyte Open Day.

Melbourne Property TV

Each week Melbourne Property TV brings viewers what they need to know about realestate - from architects, agents, developers, builders and lenders we ask the experts to give us the inside story on Melbourne property. It's the dollars and sense of property - not another makeover show! From new home buyers to investors and those looking to downsize or upsize, MPTV will entertain and inform you with the latest in property news, information and tips.

We have great experts like David Hallett from Archicentre who will help you understand why it’s important to get pre-purchase property inspections for any home you buy. David makes regular appearances during the 13-week season to explain the ins and outs of buying, building and renovating. In previous episodes, available via the video links on the Archicentre Blog, he shows people what he looks for when conducting a building inspection, and speaks to one couple about the plans they have for renovating their home.

Watch Melbourne Property TV Monday nights 8.30 pm on C31 (Digital 44)

MPTV - Get the inside scoop on real estate.

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