2014 Houses Awards: Sustainability

Sustainability The Commons by Breathe Architecture 2014 Houses Awards

Jury comment

To find that sustainability underpins this multi-residential project is uplifting and commendable.

This project demonstrates how strategic plan and sectional arrangements, along with honest materiality, can result in an authentic and eminently liveable place. Volume, space, light, air and a sense of community are the basis for delight of occupation, confirming there is a market for commodities beyond the usual finishes and material palette.

The committed approach to sustainability has been clearly described by the architects: “We took out car parks, airconditioning, second bathrooms, individual laundries … Instead we gave space, height, thermal efficiency, double-glazing … solar hot water, solar PV … and tiny utility bills.”

The idea of the apartments being the setting for long-term occupation and community is enabled through a communal rooftop with vegetable plots and laundry-hanging facilities – an urban backyard. The fact that this value base has been successfully put to the multi-residential market suggests the ideas are replicable and transferable, and hopefully, influential.

See full image galleries of all the winning and shortlisted projects here.

Award for Sustainability supported by Verosol.

Credits

Project
The Commons
Architect
Breathe Architecture
Melbourne, Vic, Australia
Project Team
Bonnie Herring (project architect), Jeremy McLeod (design architect), Robert Kolak, Kai Cheong, Uscha Van Banning, Peter Wise
Consultants
Builder Ficus ConstructionsKubic Constructions
Engineer O'Neill Group
Graphic design Tony Stewart
Landscape Landspace
Services and structural consultant O'Neill Group
Site Details
Location Melbourne,  Vic,  Australia
Project Details
Status Built
Category Residential
Type Apartments, Multi-residential
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