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As Melbourne's population continues to skyrocket, Australia’s top architects are coming up with environmentally conscious solutions to meet demand, while maintaining the city’s famously high standard of living.

<blockquote>
“Sustainability is the basis of all Future Melbourne goals. It requires current generations to choose how they meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to also meet their needs,” 
</blockquote>

- City of Melbourne 

From 2017 to date, here are 5 new-build highlights which have been designed with a green initiative for a more sustainable future.

#1 COLLINS ARCH

<figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/collins-arch-447-collins-street-melbourne" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="387" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/collinsarch_0.jpg?itok=alE1N5rJ" title="Collins Arch, Melbourne CBD. Credit: Cbus Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Collins Arch, Melbourne CBD. Credit: Cbus Property</figcaption></figure>With construction well underway, Cbus Property have worked closely with Woods Bagot &amp; SHoP Architects to produce a world-class sustainable skyscraper due for completion this year. The dual 41-floor buildings will comprise of 202 residences, 294 resort-style hotel rooms, 50,000 square metres of premium grade office space and state-of-the-art communal spaces, including a tiered amphitheatre.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/collins-arch-447-collins-street-melbourne">Collins Arch</a> is the third development to receive a platinum level WELL Precertification, where nutrition, fitness, mood, sleep patterns and cognitive performance of occupants are highlighted as key considerations in the overall design. This has been accomplished through indoor air quality monitoring, superior natural lighting and ventilation, an emphasis on bicycle access, and more. To round off Collins Arch’s sustainability endorsement, the building has also been submitted for 6-star Greenstar accreditation and 5.5 star NABERS energy rating.

#2 SOUTHBANK BOULEVARD

<figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/stage-1-of-transforming-southbank-boulevard-and-dodds-street-commencing-this-month" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="387" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/southbankbvld.jpg?itok=lIXFJhv7" title="Southbank Boulevard and Dobbs Street. Credit: City of Melbourne" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Southbank Boulevard and Dobbs Street. Credit: City of Melbourne</figcaption></figure>The transformation of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/stage-1-of-transforming-southbank-boulevard-and-dodds-street-commencing-this-month">Southbank Boulevard and Dodds Street</a> is taking shape, and due for completion late 2019. As the gateway to Melbourne’s Arts Precinct, the plan is to create a Melbourne Experience for Southbank by constructing 2.5 hectares of new public space, including a new civic square for the precinct, more neighbourhood parks and the aim of prioritising pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. The project will also see 300 new trees planted (predominantly the Platanus X acerifolia), which will meet the City of Melbourne’s biodiversity and urban forest targets. 

#3 435 BOURKE STREET

<figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/435-bourke-street-melbourne" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="387" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/435bourke.jpg?itok=FFWzySUA" title="435 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD. Credit: Cbus Property" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>435 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD. Credit: Cbus Property</figcaption></figure>The 55-level commercial tower designed by Bates Smart in association with Cbus Property will add a striking new icon to Melbourne’s urban skyline by 2023. Located on the corner of Queen and Bourke Streets, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/435-bourke-street-melbourne">435 Bourke Street</a> boasts environmentally friendly features and is targeting a 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating, a minimum 5 Star ‘Green Star’ Office Design and WELL Platinum Certification.

Cbus Property aims to invest in new technologies and materials to maintain its notable eco-conscious reputation for both new and existing buildings. With a sustainable focus in mind, the sculptural design will fit seamlessly into the city landscape, with six different landscaped terraces throughout for occupants to enjoy.

<blockquote>
“The building’s design references the neighbouring streetscape and is crafted to be more organic in form, aspiring to enliven the precinct and create a more people-friendly environment that stimulates the senses and imagination.”
</blockquote>

- Cian Davis, Director of Bates Smart

#4 LITTLE MILLER 

<figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/10-16-little-miller-street-brunswick-east" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="387" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/littlemiller.jpg?itok=MosoOmoR" title="55-63 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East. Credit: Castran" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>55-63 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East. Credit: Castran</figcaption></figure>Developer Lucent teamed up with design trio ClarkeHopkinsClarke Architects, Breathe Architecture and Openwork Landscaping to put Brunswick East’s ‘<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/10-16-little-miller-street-brunswick-east">Little Miller</a>’ on the map as one of Melbourne’s most sustainable residential developments to date. The sold-out apartment building has been awarded a 7.5 star average NatHERS thermal performance rating, and has been designed as a 100% fossil fuel free building. From induction cooktops and energy-saving LED light fittings, to rainwater tanks for irrigation and solar power, the environmentally conscious design makes use of natural resources without compromising luxurious living. Venture up to the rooftop and you’ll find a multi-functional garden featuring all kinds of plants and greenery, communal al fresco dining and even a ‘gin and tonic’ room surrounded by edible plants to make your own cocktails. 

<blockquote>
“What is labelled sustainable, is often just common sense. While we do design responsibly, we also design robust homes that just feel right.”
</blockquote>

- Toby Lauchlan, ClarkeHopkinsClarke

#5 THE GENERAL

<figure><a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/the-general-421-high-street-northcote" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="387" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/thegeneral.jpg?itok=y6QNTC9S" title="421 High Street, Northcote. Credit: C.Kairouz &amp; Associates" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>421 High Street, Northcote. Credit: C.Kairouz &amp; Associates</figcaption></figure>What was once a small family butcher on Northcote’s High Street, has now become the site for '<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/the-general-421-high-street-northcote">The General</a>',  arguably one of Melbourne’s most exciting technological advancements in structural design to date. Architect Chahid Kairouz had a goal to transform the site of his family’s business into not only a sophisticated mid-rise apartment, but use the opportunity as a means to pioneer new technology with a sustainable focus in his late father’s honour.

<blockquote>
“It was extremely important to reflect my father’s values in the design of the general; not only for sentimental value but to stand the test of time in its design and its use of cutting-edge sustainable technology on the facade; a combination makes the building and the apartments be relevant for longer." 
</blockquote>

the general is Australia’s first ever residential building to use Onyx Solar photovoltaic glazing which works as both a balustrade and power source. The sustainable design also contains a 25,000 litre rainwater tank for flushing toilets, 137 bicycle parks and a green rooftop terrace.

THE  FUTURE

With temperatures on the rise and an endeavour to achieve a more sustainable society, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects have called for increased investment in green infrastructure. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/victorian-election-2018-aila-victoria-calls-for-increased-investment-in-green-infrastructure">Read the full article</a>. 

<blockquote>
“There is the need to prioritise landscapes and green infrastructure in the planning scheme to build a healthy, liveable city as Melbourne’s population grows steadily.”
</blockquote>

- Adrian Gray, Victorian Chapter president

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article_full_width_580px" height="312" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/tallest-timber-tower-tokyo-japan-dezeen-col4.jpg?itok=SEiw0U5-" title="Timber high rise proposed for Tokyo. Credit: Dezeen" width="580"><figcaption>Timber high rise proposed for Tokyo. Credit: Dezeen</figcaption></figure>Could timber high-rises be a way forward? Following Japan’s proposal to build the world’s tallest wooden skyscraper, there has been discussion of the environmental benefits and low carbon footprint of building with wood. <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/the-cost-efficiency-of-mid-rise-timber-structures">Have your say here</a>.

 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/verticalgardens.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="Futuristic vertical gardens. Credit: MAD Architects" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/verticalgardens.jpg?itok=OvEWziKr" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Futuristic vertical gardens. Credit: MAD Architects</figcaption></figure>What happens when you plant 150 trees and plants haphazardly across the face of an apartment complex? You get 150,000 litres of oxygen each hour, and 200,000 litres of carbon dioxide is absorbed per hour by night. Are we likely to see more vertical gardens on the rise in Melbourne? <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/exploring-the-merits-of-a-vertical-forest-has-it-a-lasting-place-in-melbourne">Learn more</a>.

<h2>Some sustainable Melbourne properties on the market right now:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29358]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22699]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22803]
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Olivia Round

5 of Melbourne’s environmentally conscious new-development highlights

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Established suburbs such as St Kilda, Fitzroy and Williamstown, that we love to live in and visit, have evolved over a very long period of time. They have grown organically to develop the character, identity and sense of community that we see today.

While I fully appreciate this, and I’m aware that a sense of community cannot be manufactured, I believe that we can be more proactive about ‘seeding’ the community connections that contribute to creating growth area communities that are desirable places to live, work and play. Building upon the assertion I made in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/what-can-the-urban-development-industry-do-about-the-challenges-facing-growth-area-communities">last month’s column</a> regarding the need for a shared value approach to urban development, I am advocating for an urban development process that encourages and enables a more unique site-and-market-specific response.

New towns and village centres need a solid foundation and a framework upon which a more organic, community-driven evolution of place can occur when developers and consultants are no longer involved.  It is my belief that the process of urban development must start with a clear and collaborative project vision that aspires to achieve more people-focused outcomes.

There are some great examples around Australia of developments that are underpinned by a strong vision. Some of the most well considered developments and the key people involved connect back to the former Delfin development days (now Lend Lease Communities) such as Mawson Lakes in South Australia, Varsity Lakes in Queensland and Caroline Springs in Victoria.

They all had a common theme of a really strong 'community building' vision. This takes some real time and effort to do well. However, some developers still spend very little time visualising new development projects beyond the minimum time required to create marketing and ROI focused outcomes.

While I fully understand the commercial realities of major development, I find that the focus during the initial phases of many projects is too often purely based on mathematical strategies for achieving maximum return on investment, with little thought given to the quality of the place that is going to be created.

While marketing and yield maximisation must be considered, this should be done in the context of a much broader long-term vision of the community that will remain, long after the developer has moved on to the next project. These two points don't need to be mutually exclusive. In fact, a much stronger focus on building communities can be a key driver of a greater return on investment than simply creating just another land subdivision.

A strong project vision sets its sights beyond the more obvious tangible bricks and mortar outcomes such as yield, built form and a relevant mix of uses. It also targets the less tangible, people-focused objectives such as attracting a diverse demographic, creating a unique sense of place, generating a diverse range of employment opportunities and delivering essential community services and infrastructure in a timely manner.

A clear understanding of market opportunities is also an essential part of developing a strong project vision. This is a key area in which the development industry could improve the urban development process in order to create shared value.

A situation analysis—a well-known business tool usually applied to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing a company or product—can be easily adapted to the analysis of a site by highlighting opportunities and constraints relating to political/legal, economic, societal, technological and natural environment factors, as well as understanding the local land use ecosystem and identifying target demographics.

The situation analysis will reveal key project opportunities and risks. Opportunities may include a lack of appropriate housing for retirees or a gap in the provision of local medical services. Risks such as the presence of other developments that may increase competition either for retail spend or for attracting purchasers of housing lots may also be revealed.

These sorts of insights support commercially prudent decision making while helping to build a clearer picture of how a single development parcel can differentiate in order to meet its commercial targets, and contribute more meaningfully to the whole neighbourhood.

The final ingredient for a strong project vision is developing a relevant network of relationships. This may involve including a broad group of stakeholders in the visioning process, being open to entrepreneurial partnerships and engaging in greater levels of collaboration with council stakeholders.

In direct contrast to the often siloed and combative ‘us against them’ approach to urban development that leads to lost opportunities for developers, councils and communities alike, I am advocating for a far more collaborative relationship, one which not only leads to better project outcomes but also to smoother approvals processes.

I look forward to expanding the discussion on collaboration and partnerships in next month’s column.

 

Dean Landy is a registered architect, urban designer, speaker and author with 14 years experience in community development projects within Australia and overseas. As a partner at Melbourne based architecture firm <a href="http://www.chc.com.au/">ClarkeHopkinsClarke</a>, he is actively involved in the design of many town centres across Australia.

Landy is also the founder and director of <a href="http://www.oneheartchallenge.org/">One Heart Foundation</a>, a unique 'for purpose' organisation breaking the poverty cycle in Africa by establishing schools and homes to care for orphaned and abandoned children. The foundation is currently hosting an international design competition to fundraise and masterplan its second children’s village in Kenya.
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