For Alex Hopkins, good design should be for everyone and can help drive social change. That’s why she makes pro bono work a regular part of her studio’s workflow – tapping into strong supplier relationships and encouraging younger team members to step up and take the lead. Here she outlines the work her practice has done on the Living Room by Youth Projects.
On a Friday afternoon in 2022, I received an unexpected call from Claire Vallis, a long-time collaborator and co-founder of The Green Boat, a strategic consultancy we’ve worked with for years. Claire had been working with Youth Projects, a Melbourne-based charity, and they needed urgent help. Their CBD site, The Living Room, was in dire need of refurbishment. As she spoke, describing the rundown space and the critical services provided there, I could hear the passion in her voice. I knew we had to step in.
Youth Projects is one of Melbourne’s oldest and most innovative charities, committed to breaking the cycle of disadvantage. Their team provides support to people experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and other challenges, creating pathways to stability and independence. Hearing about the work they do – and about CEO Ben Vasiliou’s deeply personal journey – was both humbling and inspiring. By Monday morning, our Studio Tate team was at The Living Room for an initial site visit and briefing.
This is just one example of how design can create a meaningful difference. We see design as a tool for fostering equity, inclusion and justice – principles that underpin our ongoing commitment to pro bono and low bono work. These projects allow us to contribute meaningfully where design is often out of reach. For The Living Room alone, we provided pro bono interior design, documentation and site services valued at over $130,000.
In Australia, over three million people live in poverty, including more than 750,000 children and young people. Charities and social enterprises like Youth Projects play a vital role in addressing these challenges. Collectively, these organisations employ 1.68 million people, contribute nearly $150 billion to the economy, and engage over three million volunteers. Despite these efforts, the need far outstrips the resources available. This is why partnerships between design professionals and not-for-profits are essential. They provide the expertise and support necessary to create spaces that truly serve their communities.
Designing for impact
Making a tangible difference starts with understanding the people who will use the spaces – their circumstances and needs. The Living Room was designed to provide comfort, safety and a sense of belonging – in addition to meeting the functional needs of those using the services. Our goal was to transform it into an “urban reserve”, a place where visitors feel valued and supported. We were very conscious that every design decision contributed to the core message: you are worthy.
This ethos shaped every element of the refurbishment. Sightlines were improved for security, ensuring staff and visitors could feel safe. Accessibility was a priority, with expanded facilities including showers, triage rooms, and medical suites. We introduced segregated spaces to support individuals who may feel vulnerable in shared environments, such as women escaping domestic violence.
These changes were driven by a commitment to create a space that genuinely respects and uplifts its users. For those who use The Living Room, the space needed to feel welcoming and empowering – a place where they could reclaim a sense of ownership over their lives.
Strategies for inclusion and justice
When designing for social impact, we focus on what is both practical and transformative. Effective design strategies must address the specific challenges faced by the communities we serve.
For The Living Room, this meant working within tight timeframes and budgets while delivering creative solutions. We drew on our network of industry partners – companies like Reece, Kvadrat Maharam, and Laminex – who generously contributed resources to make the project possible. This collaboration underscored the collective effort required to create a lasting impact.
Our approach is grounded in listening and learning. This project reaffirmed that creating inclusive spaces begins with empathy and ends with action.
The ripple effect
The outcomes of The Living Room refurbishment were immediate and profound. The expanded facilities allowed Youth Projects to serve more people and offer a wider range of services. Spaces that were previously underutilised became hubs of activity. Staff and visitors alike reported feeling safer and more supported.
But the impact extended beyond the physical space. The refurbishment helped rebuild trust and confidence for many clients who had stopped engaging with support services. It improved the daily experience for staff, making their work environment safer and more functional. It also strengthened relationships across the broader project team – from collaborators and consultants to suppliers – who came together with a shared purpose. For our team, it was a powerful experience that reinforced our commitment to making good design accessible to all.
Looking ahead
Our journey into pro bono work began modestly, with small projects for organisations like Jean Hailes for Women’s Health and CASA House. These early efforts taught us that even limited resources can make a big difference when paired with creativity and care. Over time, this work has become a valued part of our studio – but it does require planning.
We allocate a small percentage of our annual revenue to this work, and we’ve found that starting small is key. Many not-for-profits seek help with simple scopes – paint colours, furniture selections, or flooring – so the commitment is often manageable. We weave these projects into our regular workflow, draw on supplier relationships for donated or discounted products, and empower younger staff to take the lead. This approach keeps costs down while giving team members valuable opportunities – making it a win for everyone. The flexibility and appreciation from these clients make it an incredibly rewarding part of what we do.
As design professionals, we have the skills to shape not just spaces but also lives. Through projects like The Living Room, we aim to show what is possible when design is guided by equity and compassion. It is a privilege to use our expertise in service of a more inclusive and just world.
My hope is that others in the design community will join us in this mission. Together, we can ensure that thoughtful, innovative design benefits everyone, creating stronger, more resilient communities for the future.
Alex Hopkins is a director of Studio Tate, which she founded in 2014. Alex strongly believes in design for good, driving her studio’s budding portfolio of pro-bono and Social Impact projects, which include the Living Room by Youth Projects, the CASA House (Centre against Sexual Assault) and Jean Hailes for Women’s Health. Alex is committed to building on the studio’s reputation for delivering visually intriguing, pragmatic and value-led design.
Photos: Sharyn Cairns & Lillie Thompson
