Fieldwork Projects

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Melbourne based developer Goldfields has recently launched two premium apartment developments: Patch and 525 High Street..

Located at 243 Queens Parade in Fitzroy North, Patch is a 12-storey building comprises 83 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, a communal terrace on level eight and ground floor retail space. The communal terrace on level eight, includes a 300sqm tree-dotted deck, indoor and outdoor dining facilities, and a communal kitchen/cooking area with views towards the CBD.

525 High Street is a 7-storey building comprising 44 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and two Townhouses designed by JCB Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie. The development is located within Prahran East Village, and has earmarked an independent organic grocer to occupy the ground floor retail space.

After almost a decade as one of the founding partners of Asset1 which has been involved in a range of developments, Marco Gattino created Goldfields during 2010. The move came about from Gattino's desire to establish his own business with a strong focus on developing premium residential projects.

Urban.com.au recently spoke with Goldfields’ Managing Director Marco Gattino regarding the progress and interest in the company's two current projects.

<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/patch.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Patch, Queens Parade. Image courtesy of Fieldworks"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="725" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/patch.jpg?itok=zYjSo6R0" title="Patch, Queens Parade. Image courtesy of Fieldworks" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Patch, Queens Parade. Image courtesy of Fieldwork</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au: Goldfields acquired Patch from previous owner Wulff Projects selling the site with a permit in place. What attracted you to that particular site and project?

Marco Gattino: One of the attractions for us was to acquire the site on the basis that it had a permit. We made a few adjustments and enhancements to the permitted scheme but certainly having a permit in place allowed us to get traction quite quickly in terms of launching the project. It's fair to say most of the planning risk was taken out of the process and we were overall quite happy with the design of the building and retaining Fieldwork as the architects, who apart from producing the original design, we feel are a good local firm (and were) based in Clifton Hill.

They understand the demographic, they understand the area and I believe they've done a very good job of delivering a very design-focused project that is in keeping with what the area demands.

UM: In addition to the permit for the site, did you identify North Fitzroy as an area with a great deal of investment potential and opportunity?

MG: The whole North Fitzroy/Clifton Hill area was very attractive to us because of its transport linkages, with Patch well-serviced by tram, but also within walking distance of Rushall and Clifton Hill stations. If you look at the local demographics, a quarter of the population in Fitzroy is aged between 25 and 34.

Public transport becomes very important to that demographic. as is itsproximity to the city.

UM: Is it fair to say there's still a degree of resistance to higher density development in areas such as Fitzroy North and Clifton Hill, and did this factor into your decision to acquire the site with a permit already in place?

MG: No doubt. A developer would always welcome a site that has town planning approval in place, for those reasons. Patch sits within a location that's essentially an island site made up of multiple properties.

So Patch is just one part of a larger regeneration of that particular area along Queens Parade, where there will be higher densities which I think will end up creating its own brand and positioning within the market place. I believe over time, as the area evolves, it will be a go to destination and a desirable place for people looking to live in North Fitzroy.

We're one of the first developments to kick off in the area and anyone that buys into Patch is part of a greater, grander evolution of that particular area of North Fitzroy, and that will ultimately help enhance capital values.

UM: When did you go to market with Patch and how have sales progressing thus far? And when are you hoping to commence construction?

MG: At launch weekend we achieved close to 30% in sales and that was just over three weeks ago, and we are now sitting at just a tick over 40%. We had our initial run where it was well promoted and well positioned and now the sales are ticking along. With that in mind we're looking at commencing construction in February next year, with a 14 month build.

<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/image30_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="525 High Street. Image courtesy of Goldfields"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="347" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image30_10.jpg?itok=Yiyb462W" title="525 High Street. Image courtesy of Goldfields" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>525 High Street. Image courtesy of Goldfields</figcaption></figure>UM: Moving onto 525 High Street in Prahran, Goldfieds has engaged another quality multi-residential architect in Jackson Clements Burrows. Can you talk a bit about that?

MG: What happened there Laurence is we identified the site over a year ago, and we quickly realised that it was a trophy site that most of the significant players in this space had kept their eyes. We were fortunate enough to acquire the site and so we knew we had to do the site justice which immediately meant using top grade consultants.

So if you think about the demographic and the fact we've been overwhelmed with owner-occupier demand, the spec had to be right. Interiors had to be designed right so Hecker Guthrie came to mind very quickly, as did JCB because we knew the building had to be striking and commensurate to the area.

It's going to be one of the few larger scale 7-storey buildings in that location. We had to do it justice and I believe JCB have done the site justice, so this to us is one of our most exciting built form projects.

One of the challenges with the site was dealing with... there are two real faces to the building being to the north and the south. The northern face is a unique opportunity so far as it's an elevated site which sits above a heritage protected area, so we're talking about unencumbered views to the north and for those who want to be part of the vibrant activity there's the southern face.

But being able to have those views over Prahran and South Yarra towards the city really makes it 525 High unique.

UM: With the shift in the market towards more owner-occupier stock it would seem that projects such as Patch and 525 have been quick to respond to that shift?

MG: I think Patch appeals to both: it offers something for the investor, but also the owner occupier.

Whilst 525 may attract the odd investor it has been primarily set up, positioned and priced for the owner occupier, and it is the perfect location for those living in a home in Armadale, Toorak and Malvern. They're still close to the areas they're familiar with but at the same time 525 High gives them the opportunity to live in something fresh for the next phase of their life.

UM: So is 525 High primarily targeted at downsizers and empty nesters?

MG: Correct. We all know the amount of equity that a lot of these empty nesters now have in their home and the ability to trade down in terms of value, but still live in something they're proud to call home while at the same time generating a cash surpluses.

UM: It is widely reported in the media that there is an oversupply of apartments in the market, but it would appear that there is still very much an appetite for owner occupier product. As a result the quality of the apartment buildings and the apartments themselves seems to have improved from where they were even a couple of years ago. Would that be a fair assessment?

MG: I would say so. The bar is constantly being raised and we are all pushing each other in terms of our outputs to the market, so the level of quality naturally goes up. Equally as important, buyers are becoming a lot more discerning, so in order to achieve the sales rates required to make the projects feasible, you need to deliver certain outcomes.

In response to the notion of "are we in a bubble?" and "is there an oversupply?" there's never an oversupply of well located, well designed and well executed product and that's what 525 High is.

525 High was launched a week ago (at time of interview) and is already 50% sold which is an overwhelming response. In particular there has been huge demand for three bedroom apartments so we've very well placed and very satisfied with the sales, which have exceeded our own expectations even though we knew the site would attract a lot of interest.

We look forward to commencing works early next year.
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Laurence Dragomir

Goldfields looks to strike gold with two marquee projects

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<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/patch-fitzroy-north--243-queens-parade-fitzroy-north">Patch</a> at 243 Queens Parade is set to become the first project launched under the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/wulff-projects">Wulff Projects</a> brand, when it gears up its sales and marketing campaign during September. Director Adam Wulff's strategy is to target purely local buyers with the project set to be sold via traditional retail means with no marketing offshore; typical purchasers are expected to live with a 5km radius of the project.

Providing 76 apartments over 11-storeys and featuring ground level retail, the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/fieldwork">Fieldwork</a>-designed building is an excellent case-study in small footprint living with the smallest apartment a single bedroom dwelling with an internal area of 45sqm. These one bedroom apartments in particular are aimed at first home buyers looking to enter the 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/screenshot_2015-08-05_17.21.29.png" rel="gallery-all" title="1 bedroom apartment layouts. © Wulff Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="361" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screenshot_2015-08-05_17.21.29.png?itok=SyLt_0VU" title="1 bedroom apartment layouts. © Wulff Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>1 bedroom apartment layouts. © Wulff Projects</figcaption></figure>The development also features eight 3 bedroom apartments or 12% of the total number of apartments, which is generally considered to be a disproportionate number in a building of its size. Wulff Projects made a conscious decision to target families, and so created a product which caters to that particular demographic while also being an attractive prospect to the down-sizer market from within the locale.

<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/patch_3_bedroom_apartment.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Typical 1 bedroom apartment layout. © Wulff Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="402" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/patch_3_bedroom_apartment.jpg?itok=nwfNIToE" title="Typical 1 bedroom apartment layout. © Wulff Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Typical 3 bedroom apartment layout. © Wulff Projects</figcaption></figure>Patch's form is best described as a 'lozenge' in plan with the intended aim to maximise views and natural light to apartments, while simultaneously dealing with setbacks to site boundaries. The main building form or 'tower' element is encased in a white precast concrete skin that features a vertical rib profile with quartz aggregate mixed through that will "shimmer".

Complemented by operable bi-fold screens of white vertical aluminium blades which emphasise the verticality of the development, Patch will also see timber soffits to the recessed balconies. The base employs a charcoal brick with timber clad shutters, drawing upon the local context in reference to the warehouse typology of the area.

One of the inspirations for the project was the <a href="http://www.archdaily.com/70822/new-art-museum-sanaa">Museum of Contemporary Art by SANAA in New York</a>; its simplicity and restrained architecture stood out to Adam Wulff and acted as a point of reference.

<blockquote>
The two level podium is designed to subtly reference a warehouse typology of the context while the ground floor pedestrian interface is improved by the addition of a streetscape canopy. The upper form is conceived as a crystalline sculptural form which sits lightly above. A shadowline level is set back from Queens Parade and painted black in order to create the impression the upper form is floating above the podium.
<cite>Fieldwork Design Report</cite>
</blockquote>

<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/150717_qp_01_resized.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Patch hero shot. © Wulff Projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="287" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/150717_qp_01_resized.jpg?itok=zbPxNv2M" title="Patch hero shot. © Wulff Projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Patch hero shot. © Wulff Projects</figcaption></figure>Patch has also been designed to a very high ESD standard 4 star green star in addition to an above average 7 star energy rating. Large private and communal decking draws residents outdoors, while natural timber cladding and planters soften the facade. The design is driven by fundamental principles including a strong emphasis on internal amenity, privacy, light and air access, equitable views lines, and communal outdoor and indoor facilities.

Communal outdoor areas are located atop of Level 8 and on the rooftop, with both providing various landscaping opportunities. These create new vantage points and spaces for gathering for residents. On the podium level (Level 2) there are significant private landscaped terraces.

<blockquote>
We appreciate and value good design. Our projects have a strong ESD focus particularly those in the inner urban north - we value internal amenity, so no borrowed light. There's a consistent theme around landscape and generous landscape in our projects. For us it's not about squeezing as many apartments onto a site to maximise the yield, there's other factors which we value and appreciate and aspire to achieve.

Another theme that we aspire towards and is certainly a key driver for Patch is the sense of community and interaction with your neighbours. One of the hallmarks is this large communal terrace on level 8 as well as a common kitchen - so say you have a 1 bedroom apartment and it's 50sqm , you have access to and can book the communal facilities through the body corporate.

Likewise on the rooftop where we intend to have veggie gardens which will hopefully foster a real sense of community.
<cite>Adam Wulff</cite>
</blockquote>

Adam believes as the apartment market continues to evolve, prospective purchasers have become more savvy and knowledgeable; no longer simply buying a property based solely on a plan on paper. They are placing greater emphasis and value on ESD initiatives and communal areas which has translated in the types of developments Wulff Projects are embarking upon.

A further feature of projects like Patch is the desire to appeal and reach out to predominantly the owner-occupier market, a byproduct of which is that the more sophisticated investors will follow both in terms of off the plan and in future resale values.

Wulff Projects and the design team at Fieldwork have aimed to ensure that Patch remains sympathetic and responsive to the existing context while being mindful of the changing nature of the area and the likely higher density development which will eventually surround it. Ultimately they hope the project is considered as "an exemplar of high quality design and sustainable apartment living which engages with its context in a sensitive and exciting way."

<h2>Key project features</h2>

<ul>
<li>4 star Green Star</li>
	<li>No borrowed light to apartments</li>
	<li>Diversity of apartment types</li>
	<li>Highly articulated sculptural form</li>
	<li>Considered building response to existing and future context</li>
	<li>Large internal and external communal areas including landscaped terrace spaces</li>
	<li>Dynamic operable facade skin</li>
	<li>Activated vertical circulation</li>
	<li>Sensitive retail streetscape interface</li>
	<li>Street level improvements</li>
</ul>
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Wulff Projects set to launch Patch, Fitzroy North

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With the constant negative media focus on high-rise projects and the poor design of some apartments I thought it an opportune time to focus on a practice working at a smaller scale and with an impressive growing body of work: <a href="http://www.fieldworkprojects.com.au/">Fieldwork</a>.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet with Fieldwork and <a href="http://assembleprojects.com.au/">Assemble</a> Directors Ben Keck and Quino Holland at their studio in Northcote, to discuss their ever expanding portfolio and design philosophies.

I was initially drawn to their work from an aesthetic point of view: the practice employs a diverse palette of materials turning their back on the painted precast panels prevalent in a large proportion of current developments around Melbourne. Instead they have a preference for warm timbers, brick, vegetation and light filled interiors. Particular care is given to the inhabitants of their projects with the provision of quality resident amenity a key driving factor in their work.

Fieldwork also doesn't shy away from a more modest scale of living, seeing it as an opportunity to live comfortably rather than a compromise on living quality. I have always been of the view that city and inner ring apartment sizes can be smaller so long as they are well-considered and afford their residents a high degree of amenity in the form of ample natural light and ventilation. Theses areas are generally well serviced by public transport, supermarkets, shopping strips full of cafes, bars, restaurants and other ancillary services.

<h2>Fieldwork</h2>

Established in 2013, Fieldwork has already been appointed to a number of significant projects including a 76-apartment, eleven level residential building in North Fitzroy, a 91-apartment seven level residential building in Brunswick, a nine level residential building in the CBD and various townhouse projects in Richmond, Preston, Armadale, Parkville, Brunswick East and Forest Hill.

For the practice design is about aspiration and practicality: an optimistic view in which things can be made better through design. Through creative yet systematic solutions, the built environment can be optimized for both functionality and enjoyment. Fieldwork believe in the value of good design and take great care in translating beauty and functionality into their projects.

The design process starts with sound definition and analysis of the relevant questions and ends when the optimal resolutions through space, form and shape.

<h2>Projects</h2>

<h3>243-247 Queens Pde, Clifton Hill</h3>

<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/north_fitzroy.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="243-247 Queens Pde, Clifton Hill © Fieldwork"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="619" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/north_fitzroy.jpg?itok=4g9THtUF" title="243-247 Queens Pde, Clifton Hill © Fieldwork" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>243-247 Queens Pde, Clifton Hill © Fieldwork</figcaption></figure>The design for a 76-apartment, eleven storey multi-residential complex takes the form of a ‘lozenge’ shaped building which maximises views and natural light into each unit. The building is designed to a very high ESD standard - 4 star green star - and has an above-average energy rating at 7 stars. Generous private and communal decking draws residents outdoors, while natural timber cladding and planters soften the facade. An awning-sheltered retail or hospitality space is provided at the ground level, encouraging extension of public activity onto the street.

<h3>Richmond Townhouses</h3>

<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/richmond_townhouses.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Corner Newry and Canterbury Streets, Richmond © Fieldwork"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/richmond_townhouses.jpg?itok=ud-9uhVW" title="Corner Newry and Canterbury Streets, Richmond © Fieldwork" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Corner Newry and Canterbury Streets, Richmond © Fieldwork</figcaption></figure>12 high-quality three and four-storey townhouses have been designed with a focus on natural amenity and inner-city green living. These walk-up townhouses feature roof terraces and views over the street, extending residents’ interactions with its outdoor environment and neighbourhood beyond. The design has a refined material palette of white brick, timber cladding, black steel and steel wire mesh screens to support the growth of vegetation over time.

<h3>Preston Townhouses</h3>

<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/preston_townhouses.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="397 Murray Road, Preston © Fieldwork"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="627" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/preston_townhouses.jpg?itok=-d7MGAnk" title="397 Murray Road, Preston © Fieldwork" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>397 Murray Road, Preston © Fieldwork</figcaption></figure>The proposed development consists of sixteen 2-level, 2 bedroom townhouses. The design rethinks the common approach of running a driveway down the length of the site, which typically results in a row of garage doors and almost one third of the site area being given over to cars. Instead, parking is placed below ground and accessed by a ramp. With this strategy, more space is freed up for use as a communal walkway and courtyard spaces.

The front setback from Murray Road is designed as a communal garden space with a BBQ, bench seating and open lawn area for the enjoyment of all residents.

<h3>Parkville Townhouses</h3>

<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/parkville_townhouses.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="11 St Georges Grove, Parkville © Fieldwork"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="623" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parkville_townhouses.jpg?itok=61XyUQfb" title="11 St Georges Grove, Parkville © Fieldwork" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>11 St Georges Grove, Parkville © Fieldwork</figcaption></figure>This four townhouse development presents a highly site responsive design with a strong ESD focus, characterised by fundamental principles such as its strong emphasis on internal amenity, privacy, access to light and significant landscape planting. The site’s key natural asset, the neighbouring mature river red gum trees, have been echoed through the architecture both materially and spatially.

A visually sculptural form has been created to imbue a sense of individual identity to each townhouse, while articulating and dissolving the overall mass.

<h3>Railway Avenue Townhouses</h3>

This six townhouse development draws upon the architectural character and materiality of post-war multi-unit developments in the surrounding suburbs. Its prominent street frontage is activated by hit-and-miss brickwork, which not only provides screening to ground floor windows but also acts as a textured backdrop to street activity. At night, this becomes a patterned illuminated façade. The upper levels are screened from the western sun via operable timber shutters.

<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/railway_avenue.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="3-5 Railway Ave, Armadale © Fieldwork"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="619" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/railway_avenue.jpg?itok=LwjOrItQ" title="3-5 Railway Ave, Armadale © Fieldwork" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>3-5 Railway Ave, Armadale © Fieldwork</figcaption></figure><h2>Assemble + Assemble Papers</h2>

The Fieldwork directors are also the founding co-directors of Assemble, an architecture, design and property development company focused on small footprint projects. Assemble partners with developers to share and realise their vision for small footprint living. The company undertakes joint ventures with developers on projects which are co-branded and co-invested and for which Assemble provide architecture services, creative/marketing services and development management assistance.

<blockquote>
At Assemble, we believe that sustainability is as much about conducting our business with integrity and passion as it is about environmentally sustainable design. In addition to outlining what we stand for – our Assemble ‘brand pillars’ are below – we want to briefly share the context for our beliefs, the locally focused but globally engaged thinking that has sparked the foundation of Assemble.

Currently, Australian homes (houses and apartments) are the largest in the world. At an average of 214 square metres, they are 10% larger than the average 195 square metre McMansion in the United States and 56% larger than the average 137 square metre home in Denmark, the largest homes in Europe. While we’ve made significant inroads in our nation’s short history to embrace small footprint living, we still have a long way to go to embrace it fully like most countries have overseas.

We love our country and we love our city. So, it’s part of our personal brief to have a positive impact on the urban, architectural and cultural fabric of both. As a result of this commitment, we seek to refocus the ‘Australian dream’ towards small footprint housing.
<cite>Assemble website</cite>
</blockquote>

In the spirit of fostering the culture of living closer together, Assemble also publishes Assemble Papers, an online publication for small footprint living, exploring culture, art, design, architecture, urbanism the environment and financial affairs. Over time a number <a href="http://assemblepapers.com.au/">Assemble Papers</a> articles will appear on Urban.com.au across a range of topics from micro apartments to the apartment guideline debate. It's fair to say that the future aspirations of Urban.com.au aren't too dissimilar to the ongoing work of both Fieldwork and Assemble.
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