Located in the leafy suburb of Templestowe, slightly outside the activity zone, the Manningham Uniting Church (MUC) Community Hub project aimed to create a design that stood out while respecting the local area and meeting the congregation's functional requirements. The project was scaled to harmonize with the existing buildings on the site and includes a processional drive and an auditorium for modern church services and larger functions. A generous foyer connects all the spaces.

The ground floor features a welcoming café and terrace overlooking a playground, multi-purpose rooms suited to playgroups, meeting rooms, a community kitchen, and amenities. The upper level houses offices and meeting rooms, along with separate amenities for staff and outreach workers.

Beginning in 2017, FPPV worked closely with the MUC Council, MUC Property Board, and the MUC Functional Design Brief coordinator to develop a proposal for the MUC Community Hub. As the project involved the consolidation of four congregations, stakeholder meetings were held regularly as the brief and design evolved.

The project includes the retention of the existing brick church and the relocation of a smaller timber church to give it prominence and provide usable space between the buildings. The new facility features a processional drive-through and an auditorium for modern church services and larger functions. A generous foyer connects all the spaces.

The ground floor also includes a welcoming café and terrace overlooking a playground, facing the southern street frontage, multi-purpose rooms suited to playgroups, meeting rooms, a community kitchen, and amenities. The upper level has offices and meeting rooms, along with separate amenities for staff and outreach workers.

This thoughtfully designed community hub not only respects the heritage and character of the existing site but also provides modern, functional spaces to support the diverse needs of the congregation and the wider community.