Inspired by low-rise European neighbourhoods: The design behind Academy North Melbourne apartments
North Melbourne welcomes a new addition to its open and welcoming character with the arrival of Academy, a thoughtfully designed residential development that seamlessly combines townhouses, apartments, and shared green spaces.
Born out of the collaboration between MAB Corporation and MCR, Academy aims to create a diverse and welcoming community that caters to the needs of its residents.
Comprising four small, sustainable buildings designed in a two-pair composition, Academy takes inspiration from the celebrated low-rise neighbourhoods of Paris and Copenhagen.
Each building benefits from a secure central courtyard at the ground level, while the open-air corridors encourage cross ventilation and promote the use of stairs within the buildings.
The central courtyards, adorned with lush landscaping, also offer views of the sky from every vantage point and are designed to evolve over time, blending harmoniously with the surrounding environment.
The heart of Academy lies in the central Wood Street Garden and community piazza, connecting the buildings and enhancing the sense of community. Adding to the lively atmosphere, a new alfresco café at street level will grace the piazza, complementing the adjacent retail strip, contemporary primary school, and kindergarten.
Each building also boasts its own rooftop garden, designed by award-winning landscape architects, TCL, who took inspiration from the local trees, plants, and materials of North Melbourne.
The rooftops feature open lawns, established trees, bushes, and planted gardens that serve as natural dividers between different areas, allowing residents to occupy various zones within the serene surroundings. Pergolas provide shade for the barbecue, dining, and lounge areas, while carefully selected trees and plants, resilient to changing seasons, mirror and complement the gardens of the surrounding area.
Academy offers a wide range of living options to cater to diverse needs and preferences. Prospective residents can choose from one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, split-level homes with expansive ground floor or rooftop terraces, or flexible home office (SOHO) apartments.
