vaccho

United Project Solutions had the privilege of completing our first major project with VACCHO, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. This two-storey warehouse conversion into a functional office space was an exciting and meaningful project, and we are forever grateful to Dr. Jill Gallagher AO, who put her trust in us. Dr. Gallagher, a highly respected Gunditjmara woman and CEO of VACCHO, has dedicated her life to raising awareness, changing laws and policies, and making Victoria a more equitable and inclusive state. 

The project was a true collaboration between client and builder, with constant communication and the flexibility to make changes on the go. We were able to focus on cost savings while delivering a high-quality space that met VACCHO’s needs. The site required extensive cleanup, including asbestos removal, to ensure safety for all workers. We also installed skylights and cut a hole in the top floor, bringing natural light into the ground floor and creating a bright, welcoming atmosphere. 

The fitout included new offices, meeting rooms, custom-built workstations, and privacy screens, all designed with functionality and employee comfort in mind. We also created a new lunchroom area by repurposing the old external loading dock, allowing fresh air and sunlight to flow into the space on beautiful days. New mechanical systems were installed with open ceilings to maintain the industrial charm of the building. 

A unique feature of this fitout was the reception area, where art was transformed into CAD designs and vinyl pieces, laser-cut and installed on the floor. The piece includes a snake-shaped riverbed cut into the concrete, with a perspex lid installed above it. This lid contains 12 dividers, each representing Victoria’s cultural heritage management regions. Before the official opening, representatives from each region visited the office and placed soil from their lands into the dividers, symbolising harmony and connection. Once the lid was in place, the soil from each region was visible through the perspex, making the feature a powerful representation of the diversity and unity within the state. 

This unique art installation was a challenging but rewarding process, executed from just an idea and sketches, with collaboration from Aboriginal artists and key contractors who brought their everyday expertise to make the vision a reality. 

United Project Solutions is deeply honoured to have been part of this project, which not only created a functional and beautiful office space but also embodied the values of community, culture, and inclusion that VACCHO stands for.