Image Credit : Shannon McGrath
www.shannonmcgrath.com
Project Overview
The established plane trees that create the boulevard along Flemington Road provided the inspiration for the architectural concept of George North Melbourne.
The metaphor of the tree drives the structure of the building façade treatment, using the contrast of light and dark and perforated screens to emulate the dappled light created by the trees.
This concept was balanced with understanding the developer’s requirement to create a targeted and marketable product and provide an elegant point of difference in the saturated apartment market place.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
HASSELL
Ingrid Bakker
Tom Turner
Andrew Peat
Scott Boyd
Anna Fairbank
Costa Papadopoulos
Scott Walker
Darren Paul
Rebecca Trenorden
External
Developer_Evolve Development
Builder_Equiset
Consultants
Engineer_Aurecon/Simpson Kotzman
lighting_Simpson Kotzman
ESD_Ark Resources
Project Brief
The design concept for George, North Melbourne, was inspired by its site and the established plane tree boulevard along Flemington Road. The client’s brief was to design a mixture of two bedroom, one bedroom and studio apartments that were compact but spacious and met the needs of the market.
Central to the success of the building are the perforated mesh screens on the facade, which emulate the dappled light created by the plane trees and allow sunlight to filter in and move across the apartment walls during the day.
The scale of the building sits comfortably on Flemington Road opposite the Bio21 Institute, forming a gateway to the city. The screens articulate the larger western facade and break up the bulk of the building. Staggered, cantilevered balconies create visual interest and achieve a prominent presentation and engagement with the public realm. The Flemington Road streetscape is maintained and enhanced by the height and scale of the ground floor lobby and entry. The incorporation of retail space on the corner of Harcourt Street provides amenity and activation consistent with neighbouring cafes and shops.
In many ways, this is a classic response to city living, in that the apartments are focused around cooking, entertaining and the great views through the trees towards the city or Flemington Road. The design, through the relationship of spaces to materials, is inherently urban. While entirely comfortable, the design of these apartments mimics all the great things about city life.
Project Need
Whilst each apartment is compact, the feeling of spaciousness is what sets this project apart from the other developments in the market. Through clever use of large mirrors in the bathrooms, mirrored splash backs in the kitchens and full height glazing to the living and bedroom areas each apartment feels open and spacious.
In addition, sustainable elements were embedded into the design from the early stages and include: solar hot water, rainwater collection for toilet flushing, WELS rated plumbing fixtures and low energy light fittings. These elements were set as expectations that were part of the development so are not simply stuck on as a marketing ploy.
The majority of apartments overlook established eucalypt trees in the primary school opposite. Upper floor apartments on the south side have expansive views of the city. Where restricted by adjacent properties, the east facing apartments are set back to provide a light well to maximise natural light.
Design Challenge
The design concept was balanced with understanding the developer’s requirement to create a targeted and marketable product and provide an elegant point of difference in the saturated apartment market. The client’s brief was to design a mixture of two bedroom, one bedroom and studio apartments that were compact but spacious and met the needs of the market. The success of any apartment development is ultimately determined by how well the apartments sell. By working closely with the developer, the design team was able to achieve a mix of apartment types which were mostly sold on the internet within a two week period. The apartments have a consistent and modular approach that created cost efficiencies for the project.
The combination of the design elements and the way the spaces have been planned, the attention to detail and the seamlessness between the architecture and the interior design are the keys to the success of this project.
Sustainability
This type of transport oriented development, increasing population density along transport routes is a positive move for the city of Melbourne. George sits comfortably and elegantly on the city fringe, with easy access to trams, buses and trains.
Environmental sustainability was also high on the agenda for this project. In addition to sustainability elements mentioned earlier – solar hot water, rainwater collection, WELS rated plumbing fixtures and low energy light fittings – high performance double glazing minimising solar gain and the perforated screens on the building’s exterior allows natural ventilation across the top two levels of the car park.
The budget, whilst not over the top, allowed for well crafted design, durable and high quality finishes and a sustainable outcome that ensures this building remains timeless.
Providing functional and comfortable apartments with great outlooks and views, it is not surprising that the apartments have received positive feedback from the apartment owners, the developer and the wider community.
Interior Design - Residential
This award recognises building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes and aesthetic presentation. Consideration given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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