The Building

Ross House is many things...above all it is a community in motion. A place where people committed to social justice and the environment in Melbourne gather, work and grow.

A green building

RHA has signed up to the City of Melbourne 1200 buildings program.

This means we are actively committed to greening the Ross House building wherever possible. This includes our policies as well as capital works carried out on the building.

We are currently in partnership with ARUP, an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists, who have developed an environmental management plan for Ross House to help us confidently green the building.

You can read the 1200 Buildings case study here and watch the video here.

A community building

Ross House is Australia’s only community owned and managed resource building.

What does this mean? It means that the Ross House building is owned and run by the members of Ross House. As representatives of some of the most marginalized people in Australia you can see why this is a big deal!

This is a triumph for the self help and community development model.

How can you be involved?

• Become a member.
• Support this amazing project by making a tax deductible donation.
• Become a partner. 

If you have any questions about ownership or how you can be involved give us a call at 03 96501599 or email rosshouse [at] rosshouse [dot] org [dot] au.

A heritage building

Ross House is heritage listed in Victoria with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).

The building was built in 1898 as a warehouse for merchant and politician Frederick Thomas Sargood (best known in heritage circles as the owner of Ripponlea in Elsternwick).

It was the first building in Melbourne to be fitted with an automatic sprinkler system (‘Grinnel’ drenches).  

The building features highly unusual design incorporating ideas from the American Romanesque style developed by Henry Hobson Richardson. Design features include oriel windows (fitted to maximise entry of natural light, and a further fire safety feature) and craggy gargoyles.

The facade bears the Latin inscription Vincit Omnia Veritas - “truth conquers all”.

You can help to maintain this beautiful heritage buliding by making a tax deductible donation.