When we were engaged, the site carried the weight of many decades of ad-hoc additions and was in serious decline. The brief called for a place that felt welcoming and domestic rather than institutional—somewhere residents could regain stability and a sense of belonging.

Three surviving elements shaped the design from the outset: the original limestone fabric still visible beneath later layers; a historic water well, possibly convict-dug; and a mature olive tree long cared for by residents and the broader community. These anchors guided both the site layout and the character of the new building.

Occupying a corner site, the building meets South Terrace with a modest, residential scale. White painted brick, galvanised steel and timber screens sit comfortably alongside the restored limestone walls, giving the hostel a calm, familiar presence. Inside, eight private rooms and shared living spaces are arranged around a north-facing courtyard shaded by the olive tree. The plan encourages informal interaction—conversations on the veranda, shared meals, incidental meeting spaces—supporting residents, staff and community in a way that feels more like a home than a facility.