This is a proposal for short term community housing in a Melbourne middle ring suburb. Exploring an alternative to the cluster type developments in the neighbourhood, communal open space in the form of a courtyard is prioritized and the four dwellings are arranged around it. The carer’s unit and common facilities address the street and act as gatekeeper. This arrangement provides both security and a strong sense of the collective within the facility important to facilitate healing through social connection. From this key central space the gradient of privacy through to the interior of each dwelling increases with the kitchen marking the threshold between social and retreat space. The palette of brickwork varies – an unremarkable façade presents to the street will integrate with the neighbours, while in the courtyard a more joyful interior landscape will be created through the use of glazed, coloured and textured bricks.