MA Architects

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Montalto Properties is pushing ahead with its <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/parkside-by-the-river-2-ballarat-road-footscray">Parkside</a> residential project at 2b Ballarat Road in the burgeoning suburb of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/footscray-vic">Footscray</a>. Designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/ma-architects">MA Architects</a> the boutique development of 23 residences capitalises on never-to-be-built-out views over Flemington Racecourse and the Maribyrnong River. The five-storey development replaces an at grade car park and sits east of a series of walk up flats.

Due to the nature of its park side location - which unsurprisingly was the inspiration for the project name - the development has been designed 'in the round' according to MA Architects' Karen Alcock, who sat down with Urban.com.au to discuss the design strategy behind Parkside. 

<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/5150_flemington_apartments_9302-yt_1029.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The view from the balcony across the Maribyrnong River. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="435" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/5150_flemington_apartments_9302-yt_1029.jpg?itok=zRJL7sld" title="The view from the balcony across the Maribyrnong River. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The view from the balcony across the Maribyrnong River. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>Karen describes the site as a "bloody unique opportunity" and she would know, having spent the best part of the last 20 years working on multi-residential and award winning housing projects. Karen established MA Architects after 10 years as a co-director of Neometro Architects and brings a strong design focus to projects, ensuring the practice delivers something surprising and buildings which work, particularly at the ground level.

Karen says Parkside has been designed to open up to the north aspect, while its base is landscaped to soften the car park frontages with a pergola provided to the street, with practical experience dictating the use of wisteria and vines. At the same time Karen emphasises the importance of designing buildings which are still good to look at while the vegetation takes time to flourish. Projects which rely too much on vegetation to conceal poor architecture are still poor buildings, she argues.

In terms of the spatial planning of Parkside, the two and three-bedroom apartments have been located along the north, one-bedroom apartments to the south while a series of penthouses occupy the top floor above the three floors of typical apartments. Irrespective of size however, Karen says that the practice always approaches the design of apartments in the same manner they would approach the design of a house, that is with a sense of longevity so that it feels like somewhere you could live in for a long period.

Historically MAA-designed projects have also utilised outdoor blinds to balconies which are size appropriately and practical to use, and Parkside is no different. The practice's work has also traditionally featured kitchens and bathrooms which are interesting but simple, with Karen noting that houses are "more than just kitchens" and that it's crucial to "make sure the bones are right" ie providing a robust shell that requires little maintenance.

<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/1-5150_flemington_apartments_9302_kitchen_1114.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A typical kitchen at Parkside. Image: Supplied"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/1-5150_flemington_apartments_9302_kitchen_1114.jpg?itok=eo0lox2U" title="A typical kitchen at Parkside. Image: Supplied" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A typical kitchen at Parkside. Image: Supplied</figcaption></figure>During the early days of Neometro, they would often ask themselves the question "would you want to live here?" and this still resonates with the projects Karen and her team are working on today, and this ethos certainly informed the design of Parkside.

Parkside adds to Footscray's development pipeline, with the inner city suburb fast becoming a major metropolitan activity centre to cater for the predicted 40% growth Melbourne's west is expected to experience in the next 40 years. An interactive round up of development activity within Footscray is illustrated in Urban.com.au's map below:

<iframe frameborder="0" height="420px" src="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/footscray-vic?embeddable=map" width="100%"></iframe>
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Laurence Dragomir

MA Architects' Karen Alcock discusses Parkside, Footscray

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Here at Urban.com.au we aim to shine the spotlight on a variety of projects of distinct scale and programme, regardless of location. One such project that has piqued interest is Richmond's 45 Wangaratta Street; another joint collaboration between developer Beams Projects and MA Architects.

The 7-storey office development follows on from the duo's previous joint effort on the the now under construction Farmer Cutter &amp; Swan, also in Richmond, and the submission of an application for a high-end townhouse development on South Melbourne's Thistlethwaite Street.

According to Beams Projects, the development which will simply be known as 'Wangaratta Street' will become its new headquarters, taking advantage of the site's proximity to Richmond Station and Swan Street.

The design employs a restrained and minimalist quality that is balanced by its rich texture of off form concrete which is interrupted by staggered glazed apertures of varying proportions. The configuration is designed to create a sense of rhythm and movement across the facade, whilst also responding to its industrial context.

<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_20180608-090206_instagram.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Wangaratta Street will form Beams Projects new HQ. Image: Gabriel Saunders"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="706" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screenshot_20180608-090206_instagram.jpg?itok=SSHFuqBy" title="Wangaratta Street will form Beams Projects new HQ. Image: Gabriel Saunders" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Wangaratta Street will form Beams Projects new HQ. Image: Gabriel Saunders</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
This bold and contemporary concrete form reflects our architectural philosophy, our identity and captures our aspirations.

Designed in collaboration with MA Architects as a nod to Richmond's rich industrial backdrop, the building offers a distinctly architectural experience to inspire inhabitants and visitors.

Located next to Richmond Station and a short walk from Swan Street, the building will house 6 levels of contemporary office space above a neighbourhood coffee place.

- Beams Projects
</blockquote>

MA Architects have designed Wangarrata Street to respond to two different frontage conditions, while addressing the two different Design Development Overlays (DDO) which apply to the site. The subsequent design response involves the architects adopting two visually distinct massing strategies.

Along Wangaratta Street the higher built form oriented to the west is divided into three segments. Initially a 3-storey street wall which reinforces the predominant scale of the street walls within the streetscape, with a central 3-storey section setback above; the building capped off with a visually recessive upper storey.

Turning to the Botherambo Street frontage, the upper levels are consecutively setback at similar distances to reduce potential amenity impacts and building bulk to the adjoining residential neighbourhood.

A small café is being provided to the ground floor on the Wangaratta Street frontage with visual connection to the Tennyson Street pocket park which is slated for future expansion within the Richmond Station Precinct Structure Plan.

Additionally, the project features a basement level accommodating 12 car parks with car stackers as well as 27 bike spaces.

Beams Projects is accepting EOI's for tenants within the development via their <a href="http://beamsprojects.com.au/contact/">contact page</a>.
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Beams Project's latest Richmond gem seeking Expressions of Interest

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Following on from the launch of the first of two apartment buildings that constitutes the new Jewell Station, Urban.com.au took the opportunity to pose a number of questions to Neometro Director James Tutton. Extensively covered by Urban.com.au during its inception, Jewell Station Precinct is the latest tract of land seeded by VicTrack in order to create a mixed-use, people friendly development outcome. 

Enter Neometro who have taken the opportunity to show their wares; Jewell Station being the latest development for the B Corporation-certified developer which actively promotes <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/high-density-happiness-with-neometros-james-tutton-and-jeff-provan">High Density Happiness</a>.

The project's 1 and 2 bedroom apartments have been created within the context of community gardens, enhanced bike paths, outdoor performance areas, overhauled park space and public art - in line with the developers stance on integrated development.

BKK Architects created the overall precinct design, with placemaking a firm priority. Their northern apartment building along with MA Architects' southern apartment building (which is currently at sales) are tasked with producing a "more holistic approach to urban regeneration that builds upon the local character and delivers a benchmark solution for inner-city living."

Although coy about exact apartment sales to date, James Tutton states that the project has been exceptionally well received with sales outpacing expectations.

<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/jewell_arch_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Jewel Station's southern apartment building. Image: Neometro"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jewell_arch_4.jpg?itok=mqWAplyb" title="Jewel Station's southern apartment building. Image: Neometro" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Jewell Station's southern apartment building. Image: Neometro</figcaption></figure>Urban.com.au's chat with James Tutton on the ethos behind Jewell Station transpired as follows:

UM: What distinguishing features set the development aside from other nearby developments also at sales?

JT: At Jewell Station we’re bringing together distinctive design, sustainability and community infrastructure to create a New Urban Village. It’s about shaping a sense of place that supports the wellbeing of those who live in the apartments as well as in the broader community.

Jewell Station is truly a collective endeavour that integrates apartment living with social infrastructure. New bike paths, communal gardens, public arts and events programs, a rejuvenated local park, cafés, independent retail and meditation spaces, are the foundations on which a new creative community will be built.

The project is also intended to leave a lasting design legacy and the commitment to creativity, subtlety and integrity at every stage of the design process also sets this development apart. We worked with Clare Cousins Architects to bring that side of the project to life but we’re also collaborating with our long-time community partners, including urban farming group 3000acres who has established community gardens, Melbourne art consultancy Utopian Slumps who has commissioned a public art piece for the precinct, and speciality coffee trader Phase One Coffee (formerly Place Holder) who has opened a new café onsite.

UM: What values are Neometro trying to promote via the development?

JT: To us, a home is much more than four walls and a roof. Building spaces that promote creative and connected communities is at the core of our values.

At Jewell Station we’ve taken into account the physical attributes of apartments that support ‘High Density Happiness’, such as sound insulation and natural light, as well as the external environment, where we’ve prioritised pedestrians and cyclists over cars and created beautiful green spaces for people to enjoy.

Having community infrastructure has a positive impact on the physical and emotional wellbeing of people. The community infrastructure however needs to be something whereby people can either opt in or out. What we have done at Jewell Station is not create a situation where people have to share laundries or are forced into that co-habitation, but rather they can choose to use community gardens or meditate in the outdoor leisure space and that ability to decide for themselves has a major impact on their well being.

And of course you also look at lighting, security, walkability and proximity to retail, education and transport. They're all factors that contribute to physical and mental wellbeing in terms of people's living environment.

<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/jewell_arch_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Upfield Bike Path will also be upgraded. Image: Neometro"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="350" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/jewell_arch_5.jpg?itok=gZMtSfzp" title="Upfield Bike Path will also be upgraded. Image: Neometro" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Upfield Bike Path will also be upgraded. Image: Neometro</figcaption></figure>UM: How will the surrounding community benefit from the development of Jewell Station?

JT: Jewell Station will revitalise Brunswick and serve not only as a transport hub but also as a cultural heart within the suburb. The surrounding community will benefit from social infrastructure such as new bike paths, communal gardens, public arts and events programs, a rejuvenated local park, cafes, and independent retail and meditation spaces.

The revitalisation has already begun, even though we are yet to begin building the Barkly apartments. Rather than leaving the land vacant in the lead up to construction, we’ve created an onsite display that doubles as a meeting space, bringing the community together for talks, workshops, performances and installations.

UM: Has the process (dealing with VicTrack) been markedly different to the normal planning process?

JT: Prior to engaging Neometro, VicTrack had extensive engagement with council and this meant there was clarity around what could and could not be done with the site. This enabled a positive outcome with the subsequent planning application.

Another distinctive feature was the high degree of community and stakeholder engagement that VicTrack had initiated prior to appointing Neometro. This helped to smooth the process of taking the scheme back to the community for feedback, prior to the planning application being lodged. This smooth process led to a successful application with zero objections and no need to go to VCAT.

UM: Would Neometro repeat the Jewell Station model if given the opportunity to do so elsewhere?

JT: Absolutely. The process has resulted in a very positive, strong working relationship between Neometro and VicTrack. The New Urban Village concept incorporates the elements of design, environmental sustainability and community infrastructure that defines Neometro’s ethos of High Density Happiness.

The Jewell Station model is one that we are keen to apply to future key development sites.

<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/services_property_property_development.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A render of Jewell Station's much improved public forecourt"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="249" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/services_property_property_development.jpg?itok=sUCs1fRc" title="A render of Jewell Station's much improved public forecourt" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A render of Jewell Station's much improved public forecourt. Image: VicTrack</figcaption></figure>For the record, Hampton Station Precinct is next in line to receive an apartment and retail upgrade at the hands of VicTrack. Multiple residential building, improved public access, a reconfigured bus interchange and new commuter car parking are intended, as is a likely potential upgrade to the Hampton Station itself.
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