TREEHOUSE TOOWONG

The Treehouse is a bold example of adaptive reuse, transforming a 1950s commercial office building into a contemporary co-living community for students and young professionals in Brisbane’s inner west. Rather than defaulting to demolition, the project embraces the existing structure, working carefully within its mid-century framework to deliver a financially viable, environmentally responsible alternative to new build development. Structural limitations, fire compliance and ageing infrastructure became drivers of innovation, resulting in a model that extends the building’s life while significantly reducing material use and embodied carbon. What makes The Treehouse distinctive is its approach to density and community. Compact private rooms and pod-style accommodation are intentionally offset by generous shared amenities, including a rooftop terrace, communal kitchen and open collaboration spaces. This balance supports independence while actively encouraging social connection, recognising that smaller private spaces only succeed when communal areas are genuinely inviting and well considered. Safety and inclusivity are embedded in the planning. Accommodation was organised into smaller “houses” with secure access, alongside options such as female-only pods, offering residents choice, comfort and a sense of belonging. The Treehouse demonstrates how underutilised commercial buildings can be reimagined to address affordability, sustainability and changing urban lifestyles. As co-living continues to emerge across Australia, the project offers a compelling blueprint, one that shows innovation doesn’t always start from scratch, but often from re-seeing what already exists.