Geelong Specialist Family Violence Court
Geelong Specialist Family Violence Court
Client:
Court Services Victoria
Location:
Geelong, Victoria
Status:
Completed 2025
Contact Person:
Sophie Cleland
The Geelong Specialist Family Violence Court (SFVC) is one of 13 courts of its kind in Victoria designed for the physical and emotional safety of affected families.
A design team from our Public sector is contributing to four of these vital, fully accessible projects in Shepparton, Sunshine and Broadmeadows as well as Geelong.
The common thread through all this work is sensitive, integrated architecture and interior design supporting visitors, staff and the judiciary.
At the same time, each project features a unique design connecting it to both context and community.
A façade wrapped in a soft veil
Spaces for critical SFVC functions are stacked vertically within the new Geelong building to separate the different groups of people who will use it each day.
Our design concept for the façade is a ‘veil’ wrapped around the building, folded across corners and over glazing. The gentle curves and soft edges of the exterior partially obscure the hard-working functional areas within the building and result in finer-grain public architecture.
In addition to shading the building from harsh sun, the façade provides a high degree of privacy for occupants while still bringing in plenty of dappled natural light for a calming environment inside.
Multi-connected yet still private
Forming part of the public realm, the Geelong SFVC has multiple street frontages.
Our design concept creates an entry incorporating landscaping and public seating. This feature enhances the street corner and surrounding public areas while also providing users a degree of privacy.
The materials we selected for the building’s ground level are tactile and solid, reflecting its civic importance as well as the architecture of the surrounding area.
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.
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Client:
Court Services Victoria
Location:
Geelong, Victoria
Status:
Completed 2025
Contact Person:
Sophie Cleland
Key People
Ryan Fechner
Associate
Melbourne
Registered Architect VIC (19396)
