Trentham Opposite The Station by sense of space: A Community-Driven Rural Development in Regional Australia

A Contemporary Village-Scale Development

Located in the heart of Trentham, Victoria—directly across from the historic railway station and the town’s only petrol station—Trentham Opposite The Station (TOTS) is a small but deeply thoughtful development that reimagines what commercial and residential integration can look like in rural Australia. Designed by sense of space, the project includes five commercial tenancies and one private residence, aiming to support community engagement, village life, and sustainable retirement income for its developer-owner.

Blurring Boundaries Between Public and Private

The architectural language balances heritage and modernity. On the southern end, a residence designed as a stripped-back reinterpretation of a Victorian double-fronted cottage acts as a bridge between the domestic streetscape and the emerging commercial hub. Recycled brick, subtle detailing, and a carefully considered garden wall continue the rhythm of neighboring houses while initiating a shift toward the public realm.

A key architectural move is the setback of the first commercial unit—a cafe/function space—creating a leafy public forecourt that welcomes visitors into a semi-private, communal space. This forecourt is both intimate and open, shaped to invite social gathering, particularly on cooler regional days.

Landscape as Social Infrastructure

The project’s landscaping, curated by local designer Jim Sinatra, plays a central role in knitting together the public and private dimensions of the site. Inspired by European public squares, the design features gravel surfaces, “living pergolas” formed by rows of cut leaf plane trees, and a prominent sculpture by the late artist Matthew Harding, embedding the development in the cultural and civic memory of the town.

This civic generosity transforms what could have been a purely commercial intervention into an urban village square, enhancing walkability, place identity, and tourism appeal in a small rural setting.

Formal and Material Language

Along Victoria Street, the four commercial tenancies reference gabled rooflines typical of local houses and goods sheds once common near railway lines. These buildings are clad in curved galvanized steel, evoking the bullnose verandahs of colonial Australia but interpreted with crisp, contemporary detailing. The façade rhythm is playful, employing staggered setbacks to break formality while allowing visual variety and light permeability.

Flexibility and Future Adaptability

Access and services are discreetly located along the eastern edge, buffering the adjacent residences and clearly delineating the edge of the commercial zone. Each tenancy is designed for long-term flexibility, providing spaces filled with natural light, strong visual connections to outdoor areas, and adaptable layouts suitable for a range of future uses—from retail to studios to hospitality.

A Cohesive Urban Gesture in a Regional Context

What sets TOTS apart is its ability to communicate as a single architectural ensemble while encouraging individual expression through interior fit-outs. It respects its rural setting while introducing contemporary urban design strategies—inviting community interaction, economic activation, and environmental sensitivity.

All Photographs are works of Aaron Pocock