Destiny for Density

New planning controls for St Georges Road Thornbury will inevitably result in an influx of development along one of Melbourne’s major northern corridors.  This recently approved proposal for fourteen apartments is one of the first buildings to emerge as a result of the change, exemplifying a sensitive way to regenerate and densify the bourgeoning suburb.

Think. Plan. Improve. Repeat.

Apartments are planned around a generous common walkway which is open to the sky at each end, enabling residents an acute sense of connection to the environment before entering or leaving their homes.  The walkway acts as a “gill” within the building’s centre, one that passively circulates air throughout the floor plate.

Bespoke steel screens to each apartment entry (much like those typically found on a Victorian terrace house) will enable secure cross-flow ventilation to internal spaces via the open walkway. Within the apartments, doorways to all bedrooms and bathrooms have been located away from living areas, to enhance a sense of privacy and separation between spaces.  This planning device will give each interior setting a heightened sense of resolution and spatial clarity.

“...doorways to all bedrooms and bathrooms have been located away from living areas, to enhance a sense of privacy and separation between spaces.  This planning device will give each interior setting a heightened sense of resolution and spatial clarity. ”

Street Facade

The street façade is characterised by a continuous brick screen.  As well as providing visual articulation to the street wall, the screen will buffer traffic and tram noise from the busy road below. The depth of the bricks themselves also means that private spaces are screened from those looking up at street level. From within apartments, the screen maintains a sense of openness when looking directly outwards and views down towards the traffic are minimised.

Openings to the brick screen are framed by steel reveals that alternate in proportion and position, offering a sense of playfulness to an otherwise gritty street condition.

Thornbury Heritage

In the early 1900’s most of Melbourne’s bricks came from the Thornbury Brickworks, once located a few hundred metres from the subject site, reinforcing the notion that the humble brick is a historically appropriate material for the project.

Well before the production of bricks in the area, Merri Creek and its surroundings was the home of the Wurunderjeri-willam people... a significant landmark in terms of story-telling, a source of food and a place to gather. It was also a site on which they made important historical decisions. In putting forward this proposal, we acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and pay our respect to their Elders, past and present.

By planning amenity focused spaces that will make apartment living enjoyable and viable for the greater community, this building will set a high standard of design for prevailing development...with the belief that St Georges Road Thornbury has the potential to become a thriving arterial precinct.

This project received planning permission in June 2018.