St Kilda new apartments to become one of Melbourne's greenest apartment buildings
Gamuda Land’s new St Kilda apartment development, Fareham, will become one of the greenest multi-residential buildings within Melbourne, setting the benchmark for eco-conscious living.
Designed by award-winning architects BayleyWard, Fareham will target net zero in operations and will achieve a minimum 8-star average NatHERS rating. The project will be powered by an embedded network that provides 100 per cent renewable energy, including rooftop solar photovoltaic panels.
The 73 apartments will feature a mix of water-efficient WELS-rated fixtures and fittings ranging from dishwashers to taps, with additional features including EV charging capabilities, secure bike parks and an onsite bicycle workshop to encourage residents to opt for greener travel arrangements.
With the construction sector accounting for 37 per cent of global emissions, Gamuda Land has turned to family-owned construction firm Markscon, responsible for constructing two industry-leading Nightingale projects, to implement sustainable construction techniques throughout the build.
This includes incorporating passive design principles, utilising green concrete technology where possible and prefabricating concrete elements offsite to reduce the amount of new materials used. Markscon will also aim to divert 90 per cent of all waste from landfills by sorting materials to ensure they can easily be recycled.
Passive design principles will greatly benefit future residents including air-tight construction, high-performance, thermally-broken windows and high levels of insulation, meaning more consistent internal temperatures and lower energy bills.
Material selection during the build includes low to zero-VOC paints and utilising recycled materials or locally manufactured products, where possible.
Reaching 16 levels high, Fareham will offer bay views, with a maximum of six apartments per floor. Residents will have access to a communal garden on level one, a wellbeing room on level two, and a communal rooftop on level 15.
Gamuda Land General Manager Jarrod Tai said Fareham is not only an exemplar of eco-conscious living in the City of Port Phillip but the broader multi-residential space within Melbourne.
“In 2021, Gamuda Land unveiled the Gamuda Green Plan - a commitment to sustainable construction and development, with specific steps to reduce corporate greenhouse gas emission intensity by 30 per cent in 2025, and by 45 per cent in 2030. Our mission has always been to work with nature, preserve what was there before us and find innovative ways to incorporate it into our design.
“We are bringing this same commitment to our Melbourne projects and believe Fareham will help set the standard with its target of 8-star NatHERS and its goal of being net zero in operation.”
According to CSIRO, 72.5 per cent of new homes within Victoria have an average rating of 6-Star, while only 3.77 per cent of dwellings are rated 8-star or higher.
Fareham is currently under construction and is due for completion in 2026.
