Six Degrees Architects

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Last year, a <a href="https://www.construction.com/toolkit/reports/world-green-building-trends-2018">SmartMarket report</a> predicted that Australia would maintain its world-leading status in sustainable building practice, as well as showing a further increase of green developments over the next three years. One year down the track, and we're already celebrating the announcements and completions of innovative, eco-conscious new developments on a daily basis.

Urban.com.au had a chat to Rachel and Kelvin Taing of Excelon Projects who have a proclivity for sustainable projects – with their most recent development Two Eleven Sydney Road likely to claim a highly sought-after 7.5 Star environmental rating. The brother and sister duo discuss buyer demand for sustainable developments, market failure when building for investors rather than residents, and which sustainable features add the most value to a development.

Urban.com.au: Congratulations Rachel and Kelvin on the launch of your exciting new project Two Eleven Sydney Road. Firstly, what were the main motivations for you to strive for such a high sustainability credential? 

Kelvin &amp; Rachel Taing: Excelon’s motivation to create projects that are sustainable stems from our overarching objective to create dwellings that are inherently good. To us, good dwellings are not just about providing habitable spaces but includes delivering quality homes at a consistently high standard. In line with this vision, we believe strong sustainability credentials are a key component in contributing to the quality of our spaces. There are two main reasons which remain the driving force behind Excelon’s commitment to creating projects of uncompromising sustainability. Firstly, the long-term economic benefits to residents as a result of reduced power and water consumption cannot be overstated, especially when you extrapolate the savings to the expected lifespan of buildings. Secondly, we are guided by our strong belief that residents and buyers need to be assured that they are investing in high-quality, sustainable property. The homes in Two Eleven Sydney Road provide future residents assurance in knowing that every day they are contributing to sustainable practice, and doing the right thing by the environment, by our children, and future generations.

<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/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.46.30_am_0.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Living room"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.46.30_am_0.png?itok=PCeSq5wp" title="Living room" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Living room</figcaption></figure><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/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.46.59_am.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Entranceway"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.46.59_am.png?itok=dKlveVNy" title="Entranceway" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Entranceway</figcaption></figure>U: With the current discussion around climate change becoming so prominent in the media, have you seen a shift in buyer demand for more sustainable-focused developments? 

K &amp; R: Yes, definitely.

U: Which sustainable building practices do you believe provide the most environmental value to a project? 

K &amp; R: Individual sustainable building practices such as insulation, orientation, and cross-flow ventilation contribute significantly to delivering environmental value to a project. Creating good buildings is about taking a series of small steps in the right direction, instead of one giant leap. We believe that in the long run, the most impactful sustainable practice is to create high-quality buildings that are flexible and timelessly designed. Thoughtful and well-designed buildings are more likely to stay relevant and continue to add value to the community, and the lives of occupants. On the contrary, poorly designed buildings are more likely to be demolished and rebuilt more frequently, consuming valuable resources and labour that can be put to better use elsewhere.

<blockquote>
"We believe that thinking beyond the project feasibility, beyond our initial purchasers and perhaps even beyond our own lifetime, is the most important sustainable building practice we can adopt."
</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/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.46.04_am.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Bedroom "><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="388" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.46.04_am.png?itok=7czi9T5h" title="Bedroom " width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bedroom</figcaption></figure><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/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.45.59_am.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Bathroom"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.45.59_am.png?itok=Akz7Qivt" title="Bathroom" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bathroom</figcaption></figure>U: Two years ago, the Victorian government introduced new legislation surrounding minimum apartment sizes and requirements for natural light. What new government initiatives (or incentives) would you like to see implemented to ensure the future of building in Australia reaches sustainability goals and near net-zero carbon emissions? 

K &amp; R: We believe that the legislation you are referring to is a step in the correct direction because it acknowledges that housing and buildings in general almost always outlast the ownership tenure of the first owner. Without some form of regulation, the initial owner will have near absolute say on the dwellings that are delivered, by simply choosing what to purchase, which ultimately determines what gets built. Sometimes when the initial owners are investors, what is important to them is not fully aligned with the housing needs of future residents or the community in general, creating a market failure. In instances like this, the relevant authority should step in to implement guiding regulations. We think that building awareness through education and government campaigns will assist in highlighting the benefits of sustainable homes and lifestyles. It is important that homebuyers, who ultimately drive the demand for housing, are provided with the knowledge set to be discerning consumers.

U:  Excelon Projects’ company motto states, “Excelon partners with leading architects and other design professionals who want to push the boundaries of design excellence and innovation, to create homes with specific residents’ lifestyles in mind.”. Who was the buyer you had in mind when creating Two Eleven Sydney Road and what would their lifestyle look like? 

K &amp; R: The buyers we have in mind tend to be people who care about the environment and the carbon footprint they leave behind. Civic-minded, we want our residents to have convenient access to all that an inner-city location has to offer, as well as being supported by a tight-knit neighbourhood community when they are at home.

<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/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.46.42_am.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Communal rooftop terrace"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="325" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.46.42_am.png?itok=9pYLfsKZ" title="Communal rooftop terrace" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Communal rooftop terrace</figcaption></figure>U: What drew you to working with Six Degrees Architects on this project? 

K &amp; R: One of our objectives here is to create a neighbourhood environment where a genuine community can be fostered. It involves a careful balance between privacy for every dwelling, and well-considered common spaces, where residents feel comfortable to stay for a moment and chat with each other. Six Degrees Architects are well experienced in creating meaningful community spaces, demonstrated through various past projects including Heller Street and Clyde Mews, one of our previous projects.

U: What is involved in retrofitting a heritage façade so that the overall development will reach a 7.5-star NatHERS rating? 

K &amp; R: The restoration of our heritage façade does not directly affect the NatHERS rating of the development. However, we are very proud of the respectful manner in which the heritage façade of the former Melbourne Savings Bank branch will be restored, with the main mass of our building setback by nearly 10 meters from the heritage street façade.

U: Which aspects of Two Eleven Sydney Road are you most proud of and why? 

K &amp; R: We are most proud of the timeless design, environmental sustainability, the focus on community and common spaces, landscaping and the fact that there are only 21 dwellings in the development, with no more than 4 apartments per level.

<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/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.45.49_am.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Private balcony"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="388" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2019-09-30_at_10.45.49_am.png?itok=SGZ-mhOq" title="Private balcony" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Private balcony</figcaption></figure>U: What’s the next step for Excelon Projects in terms of sustainable development? 

K &amp; R: We are looking forward to creating more thoughtfully designed projects in the future.

<h2>Some of Two Seven Sydney Road's sustainability features include:</h2>

<ul>
<li>Double glazed windows (excluding louvre windows)</li>
	<li>Energy-efficient LED lighting</li>
	<li>Rainwater harvesting</li>
	<li>Solar energy harvesting</li>
	<li>High thermal mass</li>
	<li>Double aspects for cross ventilation</li>
	<li>Hydronic heating</li>
	<li>Ceiling fans in each room</li>
</ul>
Lead image: Two Eleven Sydney Road render. Credit: Six Degrees Architects/Excelon.
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Olivia Round

Kelvin & Rachel Taing of Excelon Projects discuss buyer demand for sustainable developments

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Trenerry Property Group confirmed today that construction of the ‘<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/west-end-185-rosslyn-street-west-melbourne">West End</a>’ lifestyle development has now commenced. Urban.com.au <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/go-west-trenerry-to-deliver-west-end">first announced the $345m project back in 2017</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/westend1.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="392" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/westend1.jpg?itok=hSquBj4L" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>West End central courtyard and residents garden. Credit: Trenerry Property Group</figcaption></figure><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/westend8.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/westend8.jpg?itok=ERKE6JN1" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Construction commencement ceremony Michael Lacobucci (SI Capital), Vin Sammartino (Hacer), Robert Dicintio (Trenerry), Peter Kanat (Kanat Family), William Du (Trenerry). Credit: Trenerry Property Group</figcaption></figure>West End is said to be one of Melbourne’s largest inner-city residential developments to-date and occupies a 75,000m2 site at 185 Rosslyn Street, West Melbourne. Its sought-after central location neighbours Flagstaff Gardens and is only a stone's throw from Queen Victoria Market, making what was once an industrial area, a more desirable place to live.

<blockquote>
“Imagine everything you could ever need is right at your door in a vibrant plaza, from shopping to dining to entertainment. It's the place to live the life you desire.

West End’s success can provide confidence to the market that good quality projects that deliver tangible social and retail benefits are still selling well and attracting interest from major funding providers.

This is a landmark project that will offer unparalleled levels of amenity and design excellence so close to Melbourne’s CBD.” 
</blockquote>

- Robert Dicintio, Trenerry Property Group’s director

The Smorgon family, Kanat family and Trenerry Property Group will back the project, and real estate investment manager Qualitas has agreed to provide the senior debt facility of $250m for the construction.

<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/westend7_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="305" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/westend7_0.jpg?itok=xhdDGcQS" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>' Adderley'. Credit: Trenerry Property Group</figcaption></figure>The development will feature five striking buildings totalling the approximate size of the MCG oval. Trenerry Property Group has employed a collection of award-winning architects including Hecker Guthrie, Carr Design, Mim Design and Six Degrees, with CHT Architects leading the way as principal architect across all developments.

Overall, West End will comprise 377 apartments, 99 Adina-operated hotel rooms, as well as 6,000m2 of retail and commercial space. Residents amenities will feature multiple landscaped gardens, three pools, gym, spa, wine cellar and boutique cinema. The Adina-branded hotel facilities will also be available to West End residents to use at their leisure. 

<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/westend3_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="273" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/westend3_0.jpg?itok=9xMiElS6" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>'The Spencer'. Credit: Trenerry Property Group</figcaption></figure>In addition to the amenities on offer, residential and commercial spaces will include: 

<ul>
<li>Medical facilities including GP clinic, physiotherapy, pathology and radiology</li>
	<li>IGA supermarket</li>
	<li>500m2 park (to be owned by the City of Melbourne</li>
	<li>Shopping complex</li>
	<li>Childcare centre</li>
	<li>Bars, restaurants and cafes</li>
	<li>Day spa</li>
</ul>
Anticipated completion of the project is late 2020 with apartments prices ranging from $425,000 to $6m.
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Melbourne’s largest inner-city apartment ‘West End’ commences construction

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Yet another Brunswick apartment development has gone to 'the green side'.

A proposal for 211-213 Sydney Road currently before Moreland City Council is hoping to convert approval onsite for a more typical planning permit to one that includes heightened environmentally sustainable design aspects. Design practice Six Degrees have taken over design duties for the site, replacing what was a failed design and marketing campaign for The Saxon apartments.

Prior to it being offered for sale, The Saxon included 24 apartments within a Rothelowman-designed project. Eventually though the roughly 600 square metre site was put forward for developers to consider during 2017.

<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/image55_9.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="211-213 Sydney Road as The Saxon"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_9.jpg?itok=4fmLr9w2" title="211-213 Sydney Road as The Saxon" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>211-213 Sydney Road as The Saxon</figcaption></figure>In a sign that other developers are acknowledging the worth of what is being achieved in Brunswick from an apartment design perspective, new site owner Excelon Group has enlisted Six Degrees to mirror other cutting edge and environmentally sympathetic designs in the area, including Nightingale 3 which abuts the intended project directly to the south.

In <a href="http://Milieu%20Propert">a recent piece</a> on Urban, Milieu Property too realised the worth in continuing the design impetus created by projects such as The Commons and Nightingale, describing the area as "on the precipice of a housing revolution of international significance." Excelon Group to this point has delivered more typical developments, with their most noteworthy being <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/forum/cbd-560-flinders-street-29l-90m-residential">560 Flinders Street</a>.

The current application is a stark departure from the previously approved scheme onsite, defined by a new facade which includes operable perforated metal shutters "that will provide a coloured translucent filter" over the building's 21 intended apartments.

Design highlights for the new 211-213 Sydney Road which landed before Moreland City Council during March sees:

<ul>
<li>A retail tenancy to Sydney Road and a commercial/retail tenancy to Saxon Street</li>
	<li>Preserved facade and volume of the heritage building fronting Sydney Road</li>
	<li>Open walkways bisecting each floorplate</li>
	<li>All apartments receive cross ventilation and no borrowed light</li>
	<li>Adjustable levels of privacy and shading due to operable facade</li>
	<li>Low energy consumption and thermal break design features</li>
	<li>Rooftop productive gardens, worm farm system and water harvesting tanks</li>
	<li>Zero car parks included</li>
</ul>
<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/image56_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Six Degrees' Saxon Street perspective of the development"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image56_8.jpg?itok=f2h2ktDL" title="Six Degrees' Saxon Street perspective of the development" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Six Degrees' Saxon Street perspective of the development</figcaption></figure>In Six Degrees words, 211-213 Sydney Road "is an exciting opportunity to showcase best practice sustainability initiatives and technologies in high-density living. In summary, the development seeks to provide an exemplary high-density residential environment, actively promoting ideas around community, shared spaces and environmental sustainability."

<ul></ul>
The aforementioned Nightingale 3 is poised to add further credence to the area's environmentally sustainable design credentials, whilst <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/nightingale-housing-plans-seven-buildings-across-brunswicks-duckett-street">Nightingale Village</a>'s designs are beginning to appear at planning.

That benchmark development will see seven buildings of up to eight storeys containing 210 dwellings and multiple ground floor tenancies.
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silvermb

Brunswick's progressive apartment design dynamic gains another devotee

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Despite being height limited to 125 metres, the raw development numbers for the intended Munro Site tower opposite Queen Victoria Market propel the proposal into the upper echelon based purely upon size.

Developer PDG with the backing of Melbourne City Council had initially mooted a tower just shy of 200 metres for the 6,233 square metre site, only to have the Planning Minister impose a height limit of 125 metres. This has not perturbed the development team, with gross floor area for the proposal before DELWP approaching 100,000 square metres.

Design firms Bates Smart and Six Degrees Architects are responsible for the respective east and west portions of the Munro Site.

Costed at $230 million, the development has been supported of Melbourne City Council from the outset as part of their wider redevelopment intentions for the entire Queen Victoria Market Precinct. Whilst plans to push on with the market's redevelopment were snagged last week due to a Heritage Victoria edict, the Munro Site's progression is a separate application.

<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/image140_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="CBD skyline with Munro to the fore. Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="368" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image140_0.jpg?itok=3gMhSCg7" title="CBD skyline with Munro to the fore. Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>CBD skyline with Munro to the fore. Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects</figcaption></figure>From the outset Melbourne City Council had sought a truly mixed-use development for the Munro Site who's major frontage absorbs 93-143 Therry Street, and this is very much reflected within the development application on behalf of PDG.

410 apartments are spread across the two buildings, with 48 dedicated to affordable housing. Three bedroom dwellings are well represented with 56 in total, whilst 86 and 220 single and double bedroom apartments are also intended.

Melbourne stands to gain another new hotel or serviced apartment location, with 81 hotel rooms/suites shrouding the podium of the taller Bates Smart-designed tower.

It is though at ground level and subsequent podium levels where the development drives home key initiatives sought by Melbourne City Council. 5,332 square metres of space is considered communal in nature; the bulk of that space is within the Six Degrees Architects-designed western building.

<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/image143_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Ground level perspective. Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="442" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image143_1.jpg?itok=_EqBFOue" title="Ground level perspective. Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Ground level perspective. Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects</figcaption></figure>Council's desire for a new retail precinct has also been fulfilled with a mass of tenancies at ground level, in addition to two taverns. One effectively replaces the Mercat Cross Hotel and includes capacity for 350 patrons, whilst a new restaurant/bar for 180 patrons fronts Therry Street.

Parking for 666 vehicles has been rolled into the project, as has the capacity for 412 bicycle bays, with associated end of trip bicycle facilities.

Parking will be located within four basement levels and above ground within the podium of the east tower. Access to parking is split between Queen Street and Therry Street.

Of the existing buildings, the only aspect expected to be incorporated into the new build is Munro's Corner.

<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/image136_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A retail heavy ground floor. Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image136_2.jpg?itok=uC6GmUVA" title="A retail heavy ground floor. Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A retail heavy ground floor. Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects</figcaption></figure>Site permeability and street activation are key to both enlivening the site and ensuring the maximum number of retail tenancies at ground level.

<blockquote>
The proposal provides for excellent street activation across all frontages along Therry Street, Queen Street and the new north-south laneway and north-south arcade that is consistent with the above requirements.

As the site along Queen Street is only 52 metres and there is no specific requirement within QVMPFP for an east-west pedestrian link there is no technical requirement for a link to be provided along this frontage. The proposed development incorporates a 6 metre wide north-south pedestrian laneway in the centre of the site along Therry Street that connects to a new eastwest laneway running along the southern boundary of the site which also connects to the existing laneway network to Franklin Street.

In addition a pedestrian arcade is also provided through the centre of the Munro East site.

Munro Site planning report
</blockquote>

The format of the north-south spur passage suggests that should any developer with to redevelop the adjoining Franklin Street property, they may be urged by Council to extend the pedestrian link further south in order to create a complete through block pedestrian thoroughfare.

<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/image139_2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Internal passage softened by greenery.Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="366" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image139_2.jpg?itok=xuNOcwch" title="Internal passage softened by greenery.Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Internal passage softened by greenery. Planning image: Bates Smart / 6 Degrees Architects</figcaption></figure>
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Big numbers sought for PDG's Munro Site development

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Docklands may well stand to gain its most daring residential and commercial developments near simultaneously, as separate developers press ahead with their respective projects.

At NewQuay, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/mab-corporation">MAB Corporation</a> has officially ramped up the profile of its latest tower to grace the precinct. In conjunction with <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/six-degrees-architects">Six Degree Architects</a>, the duo are launching <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/escala-newquay-381-docklands-drive-docklands">Escala</a> which will feature a number of unique design aspects.

The $130 million development consists of retail, hospitality, commercial and residential uses, with a nod toward Melbourne’s laneway and design culture apparent.

<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/image54_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hero perspective of Escala. Image: Six Degrees Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="622" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image54_6.jpg?itok=3KaEFdll" title="Hero perspective of Escala. Image: Six Degrees Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hero perspective of Escala. Image: Six Degrees Architects</figcaption></figure>The 20-level T-shaped building is split between a distinctive podium and tower elements. The liberal use of brick to the northern podium contradicts with Escala's other more contemporary podium aspects, whilst the tower is a mixture of gold facade, protruding balconies and stained glass equivalent facade treatment that frames the tower's common areas.

Above a new piazza, Escala will include various format apartments, lofts and three-level home-offices.

On the apartment options, MAB Corporation's General Manager of Residential David Allt-Graham stated the following on the array of living choices within Escala:

<blockquote>
We expect the variety of apartment sizes and shapes, not to mention the inherent flexibility of the loft and SoHo offerings, to appeal to young Gen Y’s and millennials that often work from home. 

Thanks largely to digital transformation and tech-savvy millennials, flexible working arrangements are becoming the norm for most Australian businesses, and we were keen to offer a practical and inspiring place for people to live and work.

However, we also feel the scale of the loft offering will attract young families seeking spacious inner city living. The mezzanine can be an elevated children’s play area and the living spaces are generous for hosting friends and extended family.

As our 13th boutique apartment complex in NewQuay, we’ve learnt a great deal about apartment living.  Undoubtedly, Escala is our most diverse and sophisticated project to date.
</blockquote>

Stay tuned for Urban.com.au's chat with Mark Healy from Six Degrees Architects on the design merits of Escala.

<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/image55_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Escala's entrance lobby. Image: Six Degrees Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_7.jpg?itok=x0WUXsu0" title="Escala's entrance lobby. Image: Six Degrees Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Escala's entrance lobby. Image: Six Degrees Architects</figcaption></figure>A short distance away <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/docklands-vic">Docklands</a>' second highly impressive design is set to become reality.

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/poly-global">Poly Australia</a> has indicated that they intend to press on with facilitating construction of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/poly-centre-melbourne-1000-la-trobe-street-docklands">1000 La Trobe street</a> regardless of whether or not the commercial tower has an anchor tenant in place. Initially slated to start construction toward the end of 2018, Poly Australia will move ahead with delivering the project.

During December the developer was successful in gaining a two-year permit extension to develop a 24-storey A-Grade office tower containing 31,500 square metres of floor space.

<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/image48_11.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="1000 La Trobe Street's angular expression. Image: Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="262" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image48_11.jpg?itok=Tl_5wnB_" title="1000 La Trobe Street's angular expression. Image: Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>1000 La Trobe Street's angular expression. Image: Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>1000 La Trobe Street was designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> a number of years ago and is defined by its angular, articulated facade which is a far departure from the squat, squared and simple designs that are indicative of the vast majority of commercial docklands buildings.

The tower spans a 5,135sqm site and has an 85 metre frontage to La Trobe Street.

On the design Poly Victoria Executive Director Steve Wang said:

<blockquote>
1000 La Trobe Street will be Poly Australia’s first commercial building in Victoria, and as such we intend to ensure that it will become one of Docklands’ most impressive buildings, both visually and environmentally.

Overlooking the Yarra River and the city skyline, we look forward to developing a world-class building that everyone within the Melbourne business district can be proud of.
</blockquote>
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A double design delight for Docklands

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<a href="http://www.brunswickgroup.com.au">Brunswick Group</a> has partnered with the Eighth Day Baptist Community to revitalise a former service station site in King St, West Melbourne. The new development called Hawke + King is located on an elevated island site bound by a leafy park at the juncture of Hawke, King and Curzon Streets.

Designed by <a href="http://sixdegrees.com.au/">Six Degrees Architects</a>, the project features a community hall, 74 apartments, a convenience store and basement parking. Brunswick Group and Six Degrees have previously worked together to deliver the award-winning Heller Street Park &amp; Residences in Brunswick. The Eighth Day Baptist Community currently occupy a manse building on the site.

With a walkability score of 98, West Melbourne provides a vibrant community backdrop within easy walking distance to popular cafes, restaurants, eclectic shops, gourmet providores and the Queen Victoria Market. The development seeks to be an innovative, interesting and empathetic residential development via a range of initiatives such as good sustainability credentials and building a sense of community.

Urban.com.au sat down with Six Degrees Director James Legge, and Brunswick Group Directors Paul Bell and Marcus Lyon to gain an insight into the design and planning rationale behind Hawke + King.

<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/151106_-_king_st_tomorrow_agency_-_south_building_lores.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Hawke + King, exterior view. Image courtesy of The Brunswick Group."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="290" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/151106_-_king_st_tomorrow_agency_-_south_building_lores.jpg?itok=wQ6iJnTK" title="Hawke + King, exterior view. Image courtesy of The Brunswick Group." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Hawke + King, exterior view. Image courtesy of The Brunswick Group.</figcaption></figure>According to Legge, the EDBC wanted to develop the site in an appropriate manner, ensuring it was not overdeveloped. They sought a development partner whose vision for the site aligned strongly with their own and wanted the development to be based on good principles of sustainability: environmental, social and practical, because apartment living is not just about a building, it’s about amenity, long term livability, and a collection of people gathered in a place designed for an enjoyable lifestyle.

It’s about a thoughtful and empathetic way of life, empathetic to the individual who desires space and privacy, but with an understanding of the needs of families, as well as the community.

Six Degrees are passionate about these principles and have built their practice on the notion of growing communities and supporting sustainability and livability. The overall premise of practical sustainability is not about trying to be a commune, but endeavouring to engender a feeling of community through the provision of private space, public space and some spaces in between.

Six Degrees have investigated how people like to occupy space to create different pockets and environments for different groups.

<blockquote>
Brunswick Group was established with a vision to create distinctive property projects in order to set ourselves apart in a highly competitive market. Distinctiveness of product is also an important consideration for residential buyers, due to the market dynamics of supply and demand and the benefit of owning a scarce asset.

Hawke + King is a stunningly unique project, combining a superb location with Six Degrees' distinctive design aesthetic and acute attention to detail, along with a built form that supports long term livability, a sense of community and occupant wellbeing.
<cite>Paul Bell, Director, The Brunswick Group</cite>
</blockquote>

The design team investigated a number of development scenarios and various alternatives for how the site might be developed before settling on a ‘campus-style approach’ according to Legge. The form and articulation of the development was derived via a strategy of breaking the massing down into a series of buildings so it didn’t present as one large mass.

At ground level - the pedestrian environment - a much higher degree of articulation has been provided. This has been achieved through the materiality: employing a variety of much more expressive materials, which are textured and have a tactile quality to them.

The pedestrian experience becomes more like the experience of walking down a side street, with brick textures and steel work, as opposed to a completely glazed frontage. Six Degrees' work tends to put a big emphasis on the importance of street activation and engagement with the surrounding landscape, both soft and hardscape.

Additionally it was critical that access through the site was retained, while maintaining the internal communal space. By breaking the development down into a series of buildings it also allowed the design team to provide open exposed walkways to the interior of the site. “You can’t create community but what you can do is facilitate and encourage it” says Legge.

The raised site provides many apartments with good aspects in all directions, maximising the views afforded towards the Melbourne CBD and beyond. All apartments are dual fronted with a private courtyard or balcony to the external face of the building and substantial floor to ceiling windows which allow for an abundance of natural light and fresh airflow throughout.

Additionally internal walkways have been placed as external communal walkways which provide occupiable space rather than just being a dual loaded corridor. These are inviting landscaped areas where residents can sit, rest and socialise, as well as providing every apartment with a dual aspect with natural light and ventilation at both ends.

These create public and semi-private spaces for residences to use, a reinterpretation of the old “porch front.”

<blockquote>
The community aspects of Hawke + King are unique; of course we can only encourage and facilitate community, but the outdoor corridors, internal courtyards, personal courtyards and rooftop garden are all hugely habitable spaces for residents to relax in and enjoy. Alternatively solitude is also an option on private balconies.
<cite>James Legge, Principal Architect, Six Degrees</cite>
</blockquote>

<ul></ul>
Hawke + King's 74 apartments are distributed amongst four buildings which vary in height from between 3 and 6 levels, These surround an attractive 300sqm internal centrally located courtyard which punctuates the internal space of the building and allows residents to commune with nature.

Apartments either open out or overlook the courtyard, providing passive surveillance to a space that is not quite public but rather a quasi-public space drawing on similar concepts at Heller Street. The apartments are above standard sizes and the various typologies have been designed to appeal to all demographics. These are sized from:

<ul>
<li>21 x One bedroom starting from 55 SQM</li>
	<li>41 x Two bedrooms starting from 70 SQM</li>
	<li>12 x Three bedrooms starting from 100 SQM</li>
</ul>
<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/151106_-_king_st_tomorrow_agency_-_interior_-_lo_res.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Typical apartment interior. Image courtesy of The Brunswick Group."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="459" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/151106_-_king_st_tomorrow_agency_-_interior_-_lo_res.jpg?itok=7hwo4dM9" title="Typical apartment interior. Image courtesy of The Brunswick Group." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Typical apartment interior. Image courtesy of The Brunswick Group.</figcaption></figure>Hawke + King features a range of recycled materials and warehouse inspired finishes, including:

<ul>
<li>Recycled bricks</li>
	<li>Recycled timber floor boards</li>
	<li>Exposed concrete ceilings</li>
</ul>
Together with a number of other sustainability initiatives listed below these provide Hawke + King with one of the highest energy ratings of any apartment building in Melbourne (7.3 stars).

<ul>
<li>Bicycle racks</li>
	<li>Composting system</li>
	<li>Rain Water collection</li>
	<li>A green roof top designed to attract wildlife</li>
	<li>A communal roof deck complete with veggie garden</li>
	<li>Fresh air ­ reticulation through dual aspect front and back doors and high ceiling fans</li>
	<li>Courtyards with private open space</li>
	<li>Courtyards with semi open space</li>
	<li>Walkway labyrinth as opposed to internal corridors</li>
</ul>
Early demand has seen almost 30% of the building reserved, all to local buyers, mostly owner occupiers.

<blockquote>
The Hawke + King project is entirely unique in a market that has an overabundance of options. The site itself is entirely unique, being an island essentially on the cusp of trendy Errol Street and just moments from the CBD and Vic market.

The internal layouts are efficient and sizes are generous. When coupled with the 2.9m high ceilings, these apartments will seem dramatically more spacious than others in the inner north. Internal finishes are bold yet simple and timeless. Many promise warehouse style living but rarely is it delivered like it is here at Hawke + King.
<cite>Daniel Cashen, Director, Knight Frank</cite>
</blockquote>

Hawke + King is scheduled to begin formal marketing and construction during 2016.
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Laurence Dragomir

Six Degrees of separation: Hawke + King

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Following on from the <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/melbourne-urban-design-meetup-1-city-of-melbournes-urban-forest-strategy">first Melbourne Urban Design Meetup</a> (MUDM) during February, Queens Collective at 20 Queen Street hosted the third MUDM event where James Legge of Six Degrees Architects gave a presentation on the design and business model that brought The Commons to fruition, and so too shortly <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/buildings/nightingale-apartments-6-florence-street-brunswick">The Nightingale</a> located at 6 Florence Street, Brunswick.

Beginning with Six Degrees' Heller Street Park and Residences project, James Legge explored its rationale and consequently how it would inform the Nightingale. The aim was to design a contemporary terrace house, or more specifically family-centric medium density housing adjacent to a public park. The project was developed on a former municipal tip previously owned by the City of Moreland whom now own and maintain (for the most part) the park.

Two-thirds park and one-third apartments, the park is ultimately used by both residents and the wider community at large. Terraformed in such a way as to create public, semi-private and private spaces, Heller Street Park and Residences employed a visual barrier by way of a verge to naturally define public and private areas.

<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/heller_st_park_and_residences.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Heller Street Park and Residences © Six Degrees"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="386" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/heller_st_park_and_residences.jpg?itok=6rlF6HeL" title="Heller Street Park and Residences © Six Degrees" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Heller Street Park and Residences. Image © Six Degrees</figcaption></figure>Heller Street Park and Residences is characterised by abstracted timber blocks which give the forms a 3-dimensional quality, a reaction against "developers stripping back." All plans are the same internally with the front of the terraces all enjoying a north facing aspect and each measuring 5.5m wide.

The articulation of the upper floor has been designed to give each town house an individual identity. James Legge emphasized the need to be mindful of where money is spent in terms of detailing, and that the odd bespoke characteristic (say stained glass entry lighting) provides for a richer architecture without adding significant cost to the project.

The presentation then moved on to cover the merits of The Commons and Nightingale model, how elements of Heller Street are entwined with their most recent projects and how Six Degrees came to be involved in the projects along with a raft of other architects.

<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/nightingale.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Nightingale hero shot. © Breathe Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="410" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nightingale.jpg?itok=TG7Lztl8" title="Nightingale hero shot. © Breathe Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Nightingale hero shot. Image © Breathe Architecture</figcaption></figure>Projects such as The Commons and Nightingale, Legge argues, are about architects taking the initiative and putting their money where their mouths are. The aim is simple: to provide quality apartments that are spacious, sustainable and affordable.

Architects have an obligation to the greater society to protect the interests of the people and the built environment but there is a concern that the responsibility of creating the urban environment has been taken out of the hands of the architect and is now the domain of the project manager.

<blockquote>
Nightingale is a triple bottom line development. Apartments that are environmentally, socially and financially sustainable.

The ultimate goal of the project is to provide quality urban housing at an affordable price by simplifying both the development process and the building itself.
<cite>James Legge, Six Degrees Architects</cite>
</blockquote>

The projects are about designing and facilitating community by encouraging engagement and interaction amongst residences via shared public spaces and rooftop gardens. Additionally apartments are designed in such a way that all rooms and living areas are afforded quality natural light and ventilation without the need for borrowed light from living areas.

<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/nightingale_plan.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Typical Nightingale plan. © Breathe Architecture"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="293" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nightingale_plan.jpg?itok=bKQqZFLl" title="Typical Nightingale plan. © Breathe Architecture" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Typical Nightingale plan. Image © Breathe Architecture</figcaption></figure>The model places an equal emphasis on financial return, sustainability and livability where others are more geared, in terms of development priorities, towards greater financial reward with far less concern for sustainability and livability. It also reduces project costs significantly as a result of streamlining both the sales process and apartment designs. This is achieved via the following exclusions:

<ul>
<li>No Marketing Team or Advertising Fees - Saving approximately $50,000</li>
	<li>No Display Suite - Saving approximately $100,000</li>
	<li>No Real Estate Agents - Saving approximately $250,000</li>
	<li>No Basement Car Parking - Saving approximately $500,000</li>
	<li>No Second Bathrooms - Saving approximately $200,000</li>
	<li>No Individual Laundries - Saving approximately $150,000</li>
	<li>No Individual Services - Saving approximately $250,000</li>
</ul>
And unlike a standard procurement process where the project is put out to tender, the intent is for projects which follow The Commons and Nightingale model to be built by a quality builder procured through a negotiated price as per the cost plan prepared by the Quantity Surveyor. This in turn allows for early input from the builder regarding buildability issues or equivalent problems that may arise during construction.

The ultimate goal with these projects according to James Legge, is to develop an affordable housing template that other architects with similar aspirations and goals can then use to facilitate similar outcomes. The release of the intellectual property is intended to empower "Architectural activism via architect as ethical developer."

The development team headed by Six Degrees Architects is currently taking registrations for Nightingale 2.0.

Incidentally the next MUDM event will be held on Thursday the 28th of May with guest presenter, acting Victorian Government Architect Jill Garner. To stay up to date or connect with MUDM, you can follow them on <a href="https://twitter.com/mudm_au">Twitter</a> or on their <a href="http://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Urban-Design-Meetup/">Meetup page</a>.
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