Melbourne’s High St Apartments complement the surrounding cityscape while enjoying an articulated exterior design.
Creating a modern building in a metropolitan environment requires balance and careful consideration. Respecting the existing cityscape while creating a structure that is modern in style and technique isn’t always easy. Yet the team at Gardiner Architects has achieved this in High St Apartments, located in Melbourne’s Thornbury. This mixed-use building consists of 13 apartments, a ground-floor car park and restaurant facing High Street.
Some apartment buildings can feel a little like a series of motel rooms, with each space a mirror of the other. Gardiner Architects challenged this convention by creating 13 unique spaces that seek to maximise their individual aspects. Even the entry points to each apartment are different. “We wanted to give each apartment a sense of address, with the idea that you are entering your house rather than a long corridor with repetitive doorways all facing each other,” a Gardiner Architects representative says. Breaking free from a repetitive design model has also created a sense of community, with each home respecting the fact that the resident is unique — just like the apartments themselves.
In the building’s foyer, a staircase wraps around the lift, inviting residents to take the stairs and reduce potential congestion. Natural light bathes the stairwell thanks to the glass bricks on the south stair facade.
The apartment interiors enjoy a warm-toned palette that promotes a sense of calm. White balances splashes of colour, allowing the apartment owners to add their own personal touches to the space. This also ensures the rooms won’t go out of fashion or date quickly; instead, they promote a style that will stand the test of time. “Our aim was to create well-designed, timeless interiors that aren’t just responding to a recent trend that would date quickly,” a Gardiner Architects representative says.
Timber flooring stretches across the rooms, making the spaces feel grounded. Natural materials were used wherever possible to avoid the use of surface treatments, which can chip and wear poorly over time.
Storage was another key consideration when it came to design. “With long-term occupation in mind, opportunities for storage are maximised so that growing families can expand within the space,” says Gardiner Architects. Built-in storage was recessed, allowing for the maximum amount of uninterrupted floor space.
The building was constructed using cross-laminated timber construction. This choice resulted in greater flexibility when it came to apartment layout, while also being a highly sustainable option. “Timber is carbon neutral and generally has very good environmental credentials,” says Gardiner Architects. “Notably, replacing one cubic metre of concrete with timber saves one tonne of carbon.”
As a result, the building’s carbon footprint was dramatically reduced. Prefabrication also ensured less on-site construction time, with a lot less waste thanks to engineered cuts, resulting in a more efficient build all around. This also reduced build time dramatically, with four levels of construction fitting into an eight-week program.
Externally, the building enjoys dusty apricot tones that complement the surrounding cityscape. Balconies are recessed and then clad wall-to-ceiling in a bold terracotta tile that underscores the definition of the space. Curved corners in the brickwork are a subtle nod to modern design trends.
The variety of window sizes and shapes makes this external facade a feature of the building. It’s interesting and articulated, bold and beautiful. This also meant there was no need for extra cladding or external design features that would add style but detract from the overall sustainability of the project. Everything is a dual purpose when it comes to both form and function at the High St Apartments.
Other eco-conscious considerations include double-glazed windows and doors to promote insulation and heat retention — and there were many windows used in the building’s construction. Natural light is a feature of these homes thanks to their thoughtful placement.
“A recent ABC article … reported that the average Victorian home scores 1.8 stars on the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme,” a representative from Gardiner Architects says. The current standard for new homes built is set at six stars, yet the High St Apartments have achieved an 8.4-star rating on average, making this a very sustainable property indeed.
Words Lauren Clarke Photography Rory Gardiner