Domain Hill

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Art meets architecture: it's a well worn line but also highly appropriate for one of Melbourne's most recent additions. The 2 Girls Building in Lithgow Street, Abbotsford is more a case of art becoming architecture with its distinctive facade merely the start of the building's story.

Billy Kavellaris of architecture firm Kavellaris Urban Design (KUD) was on hand to show Urban.com.au through the newly completed apartment complex, which may just be headed for iconic status among Melbourne's other renowned built form.

The advent of the building's exterior is a story in itself, with developer Domain Hill approaching KUD to incorporate a small element of artist Samantha Everton's “Masquerade” photograph <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/2-girls-abbotsford-gains-its-facade">within the design of the building</a>. The two young girls featured in the artist's work happen to be the children of the developer. Little did the team at Domain Hill realise Billy Kavellaris had grander intentions, essentially morphing the image onto the buildings facade via the liberal use of DigiGlass and concrete panels set in purpose-build rubber mouldings.

<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/img_1793.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="2 Girls' entry passage adorned with art"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1793.jpg?itok=e0lrOMZl" title="2 Girls' entry passage adorned with art" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>2 Girls' entry passage adorned with art</figcaption></figure>As explained by Billy Kavellaris, architecture becomes photography, photography becomes architecture and the building becomes a hybrid urban built form completely unique to its surrounds. The theme continues internally with every common area featuring artwork of some description.

KUD and Samantha Everton worked closely to ensure a collaborative approach in the placement of varied art forms throughout the project's four levels, with photography the dominant medium. Corridors are exceptionally wide with minimalist white finishes; coupled with track lighting the spaces are full of purpose rather than simply being a transit space from A to B.

While the artworks were mounted upon the building's completion, they now fall under the control of the body corporate.

<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/img_1815_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artwork adorns all walls within the buildings common passages."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1815_0.jpg?itok=Qp5exKBQ" title="Artwork adorns all walls within the buildings common passages." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artwork to the fore.</figcaption></figure>As touched upon, there's a certain rawness to the finishes within the 2 Girls Building's circulation areas. The pared back palette generally consists of recycled timber, polished concrete, simple white finishes, glass and steel.

This theme continues within the living spaces with apartments spread over level 1 while levels 2 and 3 are dedicated toward loft style dwellings. A stair within each loft leads to individual expansive rooftop living spaces. Larger on average than most apartments in the market, their size and composition is a reflection upon the niche sought for the project; owner-occupiers with a keen sense of place and quality.

Billy Kavellaris explains that given every effort was exerted to bring as much character and livability to the building, there was an associated premium placed on apartment pricing. Any apprehensions were dispelled with the uptake of apartments rapid and a reflection of the unique product the development team had brought to market.

<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/img_1810_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Inside a split level dwelling"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="870" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1810_0.jpg?itok=OP-j9Snd" title="Inside a split level dwelling" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Inside a split level loft</figcaption></figure><h2>Comment</h2>

I recall building a case for why Brunswick's <a href="http://www.smallgiants.com.au/a-new-eco-village-is-born-the-commons-is-complete/">The Commons</a> was the most impressive apartment project completed in recent times. 2 Girls Building sits comfortably alongside The Commons, both stellar examples of how to create impressive low-rise apartment developments that interact with their surrounds.

While The Commons arguable has more tricks internally, 2 Girls Building's exterior is sheer magnificence, a real stand out from the pack. I can only hope that at some point it's added to the <a href="/tag/open-house-melbourne">Open House Melbourne</a> roster.

Quizzing Billy Kavellaris as to what's next on KUD's radar, the former Kinnears factory in Footscray is set to host multiple residential towers in a large-scale project for the practice, while another project of State significance is also due to be revealed later in the year. Watch this space!

For further images of 2 Girls Building, see <a href="http://kud.com.au/2-girls-building/">KUD's website</a> featuring photography taken by Peter Clarke, to which the lead image of this article is attributed to.
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silvermb

In focus: 2 Girls building, Abbotsford

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Urban.com.au relishes the prospect of highlighting projects which depart form the sometimes monotonous nature of contemporary apartment design. 2 Girls Buildings in Abbotsford is such a building.

Located at 11-19 Lithgow Street, Abbotsford opposite Abbotsford Primary School, <a href="http://www.2girlsbuilding.com.au/">2 Girls Building</a> represents the joint efforts of developer Domain Hill Property Group, architects Kavellaris Urban Design and local artist Samantha Everton.

The end result is a dynamic apartment building that melds external and internal spaces to create a sizeable piece of art.

<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/img_1687.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Yet to be completed"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1687.jpg?itok=0Ge_kHgL" title="Yet to be completed" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Works still continue on the intricate facade</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
A fusion of high-art photography and architecture, the impressive project sets to redefine and innovate inner city contemporary living. The majority of the Masquerade image will be transparently infused within the glass, a highly reflective medium that fluidly converses with and reflects its surroundings. The rest will sinuously merge into the building being embossed within the concrete.

There is something otherworldly about this project, as the image seamlessly embeds within the façade of the building and then transcends itself, extending out into three-dimension to light up its surroundings.
<cite>artistprofile.com.au</cite>
</blockquote>

Clearly the building's main feature is the DigiGlass facade which depicts Melbourne-based photographer Samantha Everton's Masquerade artwork. Coupled with patterned precast panels and a protruding lamp which doubles as a street light upon completion, 2 Girls Buildings distinguishes itself in terms of design.

According to the project website the artwork continues internally with the entry foyer and corridors lined with numerous artworks, acting as a gallery space of sorts. The project is limited to 15 apartments, each of which has also been adorned with artwork and unique fittings.

But until completion, the external facade fronting Lithgow Street is the champion element of the project.

<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/img_1688.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="No ordinary apartment facade"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urbanmelbourne.info/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_1688.jpg?itok=EAn9Vf5H" title="No ordinary apartment facade" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>No ordinary apartment facade</figcaption></figure><h2>Comment</h2>

Last year Urban.com.au nominated The Commons in Brunswick as the best all-round apartment development of 2013, which went on to recently scoop the Premiers Design Award for <a href="http://www.premiersdesignawards.org.au/2014/10/02/2014-premiers-design-award-winner-goes-to-innovative-and-sustainable-apartment-block-the-commons/">Innovative and Sustainable Apartment Design</a>. It won't be too far a stretch to suggest that 2 Girls Buildings will be front and center in the next round of Premiers Design Awards, and any other award for that matter.

Very few buildings have the ability to intrigue and stop pedestrians in their tracks; based on observations 2 Girls Building is certainly capable of doing so. Kudos to the development team headed by Domain Hill Property Group which chose an outcome less common (and more expensive to deliver).

I already consider 2 Girls Building to be in the top bracket of what Melbourne has to offer architecturally. More please!
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