The inaugural Victorian Apartment Awards for Excellence saw Breathe Architects take home eight staggering trophies for their entries.
Precinct rejuvenation and Civic Contribution, Technology and Innovation, Pioneering
Winner Duckett Street by Nightingale Housing
This project turned a dilapidated industrial site into a mews with six apartment buildings each designed by a different architect. There are 203 apartments and 8 commercial tenancies and the project team recycled 90% of the demolition waste. The precinct is gas free and a combined embedded network provides residents with reduced power costs. The buildings have NatHERS rating for 7.8-9 and utilise recycled water for resident’s toilets. The Village also offered 27 social housing tenancies for providers Housing Choices Australia and Women’s Property Initiatives. Nightingale also gifted one of the land parcels to the Local Council to create a pocket park. This is place making at its finest.
Best regional development, Pioneer
Winner Nightingale Ballarat by Hygge Property and Breathe Architects
This is the first regional Nightingale model in Australia. After two ballot sessions Nightingale had sold 72% of the building without any need for marketing. It is now utilised as a showcase for other regional Councils to consider the introduction of much needed housing choice. This is perfect example of delicate density whereby apartments are inserted into a streetscape, but due to their architecture and sensitive design, add to the ambience of the street with minimal impact on their neighbours.
Refurbished
Winner Park St by Milieu Property and Breathe Architects
This was refurbishment of an established 17 unit Motel for less than $1 million budget. No planning approval was required and the internal colour choices and refurbishment was in keeping with the 1970’s era in which it was first built.
Affordability, Heritage and Community Culture
Winner Aboriginal Housing Victoria and Breathe Architects for Umarkoo Wayi - Ganbu Guljin
Breathe Architects sourced the bricks which were constructed from traditional lands at no charge to Aboriginal Housing Victoria. They were also able to source and have donated the white goods. This was a style of housing ie apartments that AHV had never contemplated. Breathe worked on the project post planning approval at no charge. The project also involved an Aboriginal Torres Straight artist and architect to ensure that the culture was welcoming and authentic. The apartments were able to be constructed for $3300/sqm metre due to the ingenious of Breathe Architects. This project was also commenced at the beginning of COVID lock downs.
Jeff Robinson Apartment Sector Leading Light Award
Winner Jeremy McLeod of Breathe Architecture, celebrated for his innovative, entrepreneurial and pioneering thinking. “He has zigged where others would have zagged,” Ms Reece said.
Jeremy established Nightingale Housing in 2007 and since then has championed alternative housing options with a focus on affordability.
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