Art-House St. Kilda is the brainchild of Melbourne-based architect Elisa Justin of Justin Architecture, in collaboration with developer Charles Justin, formerly of SJB Architects. In a time where environmental awareness is at the forefront of people’s minds, Elisa saw the market was lacking in sustainable but stylish homes, and so set to create “refined living with environmental responsibility”.
Nestled in Melbourne’s eclectically urban and ever changing St Kilda, Art-House will be created on the site of two shop dwellings – an old milliner and confectioner from the 1920’s. As part of Elisa’s idea of keeping the past, present and future connected, the facade of the apartment block will retain the look of the original building but with new artwork mural inserted in the shopfront as a way of transferring the memory of its past use into its new re-creation
The 12 new apartments will feature a 7+star energy rating, incorporating solar panels that will cover 85% of electricity needs, rainwater collection for toilet and garden irrigation, and double glazing to increase the natural thermal performance of the building.
The derelict building that was on the site has not also been put to constructive use. Three artists have transformed the run down house into an art installation, Fallow. This has been open for public viewing over the last few months and when the Art-House apartment building is complete, photographs of Fallow will line the walls of the lobby to keep the past and present connected.
The Art-House St Kilda apartments are now up for sale, with half already sold. For more information on the project, visit arthousestkilda.com
