Brunswick’s civic heart continues to consolidate around the Merri-bek Arts and Culture Precinct, where a growing cluster of cultural institutions, recreation facilities, and public infrastructure has created one of the inner north’s most defined community hubs.&nbsp;

Within this evolving precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/saxon-street-by-milieu-brunswick-31-saxon-street-brunswick-vic-3056">Saxon Street by Milieu</a> introduces new housing directly alongside the civic anchors that shape daily life in the suburb.

At 31 Saxon Street, the project sits immediately beside Brunswick Baths and within moments of Brunswick Library and Town Hall, longstanding institutions that support both community services and everyday amenity.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136434 project_image_fid=348840]

Next door, the newly delivered Balam Balam Place arts precinct has emerged as a central piece of Merri-bek Council’s cultural strategy, bringing together creative studios, exhibition spaces, maternal and child health services, and community programming in a purpose-built civic facility. Together, these destinations have reinforced the surrounding blocks as a focal point for public life in Brunswick.

This part of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/brunswick-vic-3056">Brunswick</a> forms a key pocket within the suburb’s designated Major Activity Centre, where long-term planning has prioritised walkability, civic investment, and increased housing supply close to transport and services. The surrounding street network reflects that strategy, with compact blocks, established retail corridors and active transport links supporting a lifestyle that is largely navigable on foot.

Within a few minutes’ walk, Sydney Road delivers one of Melbourne’s most recognisable streets, known for its long-running mix of independent retailers, international dining venues and everyday convenience. Tram routes along Sydney Road provide frequent connections south toward the CBD and north through Brunswick and Coburg, while Jewell Station on the Upfield line sits within roughly a ten-minute walk, offering direct train access into the city.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136434 project_image_fid=348839]

Active transport also plays a significant role locally. The nearby Upfield Bike Path forms a key north–south cycling corridor linking Brunswick through Parkville and into the central city, reinforcing the area’s reputation as one of Melbourne’s most accessible inner-urban neighbourhoods for cyclists and pedestrians alike.

The surrounding civic cluster extends beyond cultural infrastructure. Siteworks, a nearby creative hub supporting artists and community organisations, adds to the concentration of cultural activity in the immediate area. Educational institutions such as Brunswick North Primary School, Brunswick Secondary College and RMIT’s Brunswick campus are also within easy reach, contributing to the suburb’s diverse resident base spanning families, students and professionals.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136434 project_image_fid=348841]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/jackson-clements-burrows-architects">Jackson Clements Burrows Architects</a> in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> and landscape architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/oculus">OCULUS</a>, the nine-level building has been shaped to respond to the surrounding streetscape, with lower levels aligning to the street and upper storeys stepping back to soften its scale and improve solar access.&nbsp;

Curved balcony forms reference nearby heritage architecture, while the development’s public realm improvements include a widened footpath along Saxon Street to strengthen pedestrian connections between the precinct’s civic sites.

Sustainability also underpins the project’s approach. The building is designed to operate entirely on electric infrastructure supported by rooftop solar, with an average 7.5-star NatHERS energy rating and EV-charging readiness across the development. Shared resident amenities will include a landscaped rooftop terrace with barbecue and covered dining areas intended to encourage informal interaction between residents.

Saxon Street marks developer Milieu's fifth project in Brunswick and continues its focus on design-led infill housing across Melbourne’s inner suburbs.&nbsp;

Construction has commenced through reputable builder Manresa, who will complete the project in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136434]

Joel Robinson

Saxon Street by Milieu connects residents to Brunswick’s cultural and civic core

Within <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>&nbsp;takes a different approach to larger residences, moving away from the constraints of a single level.

In Grand Residence 3.05, known as the Lustre, plays out across two levels, with a mezzanine configuration that is uncommon in apartment living.

Lustre is a four-bathroom residence where the layout creates a clear distinction between shared and private zones, with uninterrupted views toward the Dandenong Ranges extending the sense of openness from the main living areas.

Entry is to the primary living level, where the kitchen, dining, and living areas are arranged as one continuous space. Timber flooring runs throughout, with a fireplace set within the living zone. Full-height glazing brings in natural light, supported by double glazing that improves thermal performance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357506]

The kitchen is configured as both a working and social space. A large island bench provides seating, while a walk-in pantry extends storage beyond typical apartment expectations.

Gaggenau appliances, including a 900mm gas cooktop and 600mm oven, are integrated into a layout that connects directly to the adjacent dining and living areas, and outward to the terrace. This balcony includes a built-in BBQ, reinforcing the apartment’s capacity to accommodate larger gatherings without compromising internal space.

A dedicated laundry room, powder room, and a wine cellar area sit discreetly off the main living zone, ensuring that functional requirements are resolved without encroaching on primary living areas. The master suite is also located on this level, designed as a retreat with a walk-through wardrobe and an ensuite that includes double vanities, a bath, and a dedicated dressing table.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357508]

The mezzanine level introduces a second layer of living, rather than simply additional bedrooms. Two large bedrooms with built-in robes are positioned alongside a central bathroom, while a secondary lounge and study area create a self-contained zone suited to children, guests, or extended family. A large storage room further supports long-term usability, addressing a common shortfall in apartment design.

This separation of levels is central to how the residence functions day-to-day. It allows the lower level to operate as the primary entertaining and living space, while the upper level provides privacy and flexibility. The result is closer in feel to a townhouse or standalone home, but with the benefits of apartment living, security, and low maintenance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=364553]

Candela is close to 80 per cent complete, with Ironside delivering construction ahead of its expected October 2026 completion. The development comprises 58 residences, with a strong owner-occupier profile and a mix of one to four-bedroom apartments and loft-style townhouses.

Candela has exclusive access to private amenities, including a residential lounge and rooftop terrace. A charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre are located on the ground level, designed to foster community connection and extend the living experience beyond individual apartments without competing with the scale of homes like Lustre.

Candela, positioned in the heart of Ivanhoe Village, reinforces the practicality of the address. With a Walk Score of 90, residents are within immediate reach of cafés, retail, parklands, and Ivanhoe Station, while also benefiting from proximity to established schools and healthcare services.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Inside Lustre: Grand Residence 3.05 at Candela Ivanhoe

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a>’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/elsternwick-gardens-by-milieu-8-gordon-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">Elsternwick Gardens</a> is being shaped around a simple but increasingly rare premise in apartment development: that the built environment should actively support residents’ wellbeing.&nbsp;

Located on the former ABC Studios site on Gordon Street in Melbourne’s south-east, the new neighbourhood sits on an expansive 11,740 sqm site neighbouring the heritage-listed Rippon Lea Estate, whose gardens date back more than 140 years.

Rather than positioning wellness as an add-on amenity, the development integrates it into the physical planning of the site. Architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> is arranged across six low-rise buildings set within extensive landscaping designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/oculus">OCULUS</a>, with more than 40 per cent of the land dedicated to gardens and green space. Walking trails, pocket gardens, and mature trees are threaded between buildings, creating a network of green corridors that encourage residents to move through the precinct on foot and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=288420]

Milieu has intentionally framed these gardens as an extension of the neighbouring Rippon Lea Estate. More than 16,000 new plants will be introduced across the site, with species carefully selected to protect and complement the area’s ecological significance. The approach focuses on strengthening existing environmental conditions while establishing new habitats that support native wildlife, reinforcing the role of the landscape as both an active ecosystem and a defining element of daily life.

A private resident gate will provide direct access to the historic grounds during opening hours, allowing residents to move seamlessly between the development’s landscaped gardens and the estate’s expansive lawns, lakes, and mature trees. The project’s gardens will also be maintained by the same gardeners responsible for Rippon Lea, reinforcing the visual and ecological continuity between the two landscapes.

Complementing the landscape is a dedicated wellness hub designed to support everyday health and recovery. Residents will have access to a gym alongside yoga and Pilates studios, while mineral pools and infrared saunas provide spaces for relaxation and restorative wellbeing. Shared lounges, workshop spaces, and pet care facilities expand the concept of wellness beyond fitness, creating opportunities for social connection and community interaction within the precinct.

Environmental performance is another key component of the project’s wellbeing focus. Elsternwick Gardens will be entirely fossil-fuel-free, with homes designed to operate on renewable electricity rather than gas. Passive design strategies, including cross-flow ventilation, high-performance insulation, and thermally broken double glazing, are intended to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while reducing energy demand. Solar photovoltaic systems will power common building services, while rainwater harvesting will help irrigate the extensive landscaping across the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=361030]

Milieu Founder and Managing Director Michael McCormack says the scale and setting of the project allowed the team to take a different approach to urban apartment living.

“This site represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build something truly special,” McCormack says.

“Through that process, we arrived at a design that centres on a fully realised natural landscape – a series of private, interconnected gardens that encircle the homes and extend seamlessly from Rippon Lea Estate.”

Elsternwick Gardens will comprise three residential offerings, Gordon Place, Ripponlea Terrace, and The Garden Pavilion, each designed for owner-occupiers and shaped around high-quality interior design by Woods Bagot, K.P.D.O., and Flack Studio. The first stage, Gordon Place, includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments designed with a strong focus on indoor-outdoor living and sustainability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=288412]

Milieu recently appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/brady-constructions">Brady Constructions</a> to deliver the project, marking a key milestone for the development. The appointment follows the demolition of the former studio buildings on the Gordon Street site, with construction progressing toward the delivery of the nature-led community.

Situated between the established villages of Elsternwick and Ripponlea, the development balances its garden setting with strong urban connectivity. Residents will be within walking distance of cafés, restaurants, and local retail, while nearby train and tram connections provide quick access to Melbourne’s CBD and the beaches of Elwood and St Kilda.

With construction underway and the first residents expected to move in by early 2027, Elsternwick Gardens represents a growing shift in apartment development toward environments that prioritise wellbeing as much as density or location. By placing landscape, sustainability, and shared spaces at the centre of the design, Milieu is positioning the project as a residential neighbourhood where wellness is not just promoted, but built into the structure of everyday life.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136535]

Elsternwick Gardens' wellness-first design strategy

Brisbane-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a> has made a striking debut on the Gold Coast, officially unveiling its $250 million COMO development in Varsity Lakes, a lifestyle-driven residential project anchored by an extensive rooftop wellness and activity precinct.

Having recently launched to market, construction has already been fast-tracked by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/5point-projects">5Point Projects</a>, ensuring momentum continues on what is set to become a landmark residential address for the growing Varsity Lakes community.

Located at 22 Lake Street, Varsity Lakes, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO</a> will comprise 156 apartments across 16 levels, comprising one-, two- and three-bedroom residences designed for modern living. However, it is the project’s rooftop amenity offering that sets COMO apart.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363510]

Designed as a dedicated wellness and recreation hub, the rooftop will feature a 25-metre lap pool, fully equipped gymnasium, and multiple pickleball and paddleball courts - amenities rarely seen in boutique apartment projects.

Residents will also have access to a sauna and plunge baths, while landscaped gardens and relaxation zones will provide tranquil spaces overlooking sweeping panoramic views across the Gold Coast skyline.

The rooftop precinct has been designed to function as the social and wellness heart of the development, encouraging residents to embrace an active, balanced lifestyle within their own building.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363512]

Red &amp; Co director David Laverty said the amenity offering was central to the project’s design from the outset.

“Amenities were at the forefront of our decisions,” Laverty said.

“Buyers today are looking for more than just an apartment - they want a lifestyle that promotes health, connection and balance.

“The rooftop at COMO has been designed to be the epicentre of that lifestyle, with a suite of wellness and recreation facilities that are quite unique for a boutique development of this scale.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363514]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, the residences prioritise liveability, featuring spacious layouts, 2.7-metre ceilings and high-quality finishes throughout.

The development sits beside Bond University, placing residents within walking distance of education, retail and dining options within the vibrant Varsity Lakes precinct, including Robina Town Centre, Varsity Lakes Train Station and a range of leading schools.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

Laverty said the location was a key driver behind Red &amp; Co’s decision to bring the project to the Gold Coast.

“<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/varsity-lakes-qld-4227">Varsity Lakes</a> was a clear choice for us to invest in as it’s a lifestyle hub that seamlessly blends lakeside living with urbanity,” he said.&nbsp;

“Como will capitalize on this great location, delivering a project that not only creates premium homes, but a lifestyle defined by community, wellbeing, and connectivity.”

Red &amp; Co has delivered more than 500 apartments and townhouses across 26 projects in Brisbane in recent years, with COMO marking the company’s first major Gold Coast development.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Red & Co unveils amenity-rich Como development in Varsity Lakes

Gold Coast developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/big-projects">Big Projects</a> has secured approval for its second Mermaid Beach project.

The developer, currently selling <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-frederick-mermaid-beach-2265-gold-coast-highway-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">The Frederick in Nobby Beach</a>, has secured approval for its next project just 1.5 kilomnetres up the road.

The new development, dubbed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/glenelg-residences-2462-2472-gold-coast-highway-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">Glenelg Residences</a>, has been designed by BDA Architecture and&nbsp;will have just under 100 apartments across an 11-storey building&nbsp;at 2462–2472 Gold Coast Highway, on the corner of Glenelg Avenue just under 300m from the future Mermaid Beach Light Rail stop.

The apartments, a mix of two- and three-bedrooms, will sit above a retail-focused ground plane and under extensive rooftop resident amenities.

<img alt="Exclusive: Big Projects plot Mermaid Beach apartment development, Glenelg Residences" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screen%20Shot%202024-06-11%20at%209.55.04%20am.png?VersionId=z6NV4izeuvhBSSVlY6vK6TPO1LxrFeaG" />

BDA said in its planning submission that the project is intended to support the area’s transition toward higher-density, mixed-use living. “This project offers the opportunity to generate appropriate higher-intensity development within the future Light Rail corridor of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mermaid-beach-qld-4218">Mermaid Beach</a>,” the submission noted.

At ground level, Glenelg Residences will include eight retail tenancies designed to activate the street frontage, complemented by a basement bar offering an additional hospitality element. Above, residents will have access to a rooftop amenity deck featuring an infinity pool, hot and cold plunge spas, day beds, and barbecue facilities.

The architectural approach adopts a restrained material palette of brick, textured concrete, and integrated landscaping, with cantilevered concrete frames and cascading planting intended to soften the built form. BDA described the design as aiming to create “a memorable sculptural mid-rise mixed-use building” that responds to both its coastal setting and urban context.

<img alt="Exclusive: Big Projects plot Mermaid Beach apartment development, Glenelg Residences" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202024-06-11%20at%209.55.45%20am.png?VersionId=cpjIVBqcT_sujmo2UMWkVyLcQ7WGJHaQ" />

The approval comes as the City of Gold Coast continues to plan for significant population growth, with regional targets requiring more than 100,000 new high-density dwellings by 2046.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-36" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:55d7c6ac-8e6d-4881-ad49-0ed9bf66d1cc-17" dir="auto">
Big Projects, led by Matthew and John Barrett, is part of a growing cohort of developers that deliver construction in-house, providing a high level of confidence to prospective purchasers.
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150260]

Big Projects secures approval for Glenelg Residences in Mermaid Beach

University of Sydney

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A $40 million project to refurbish university-owned residences in Sydney’s inner-city Darlington has been approved by the NSW Government in an attempt to provide more safe and affordable accommodation to students.

Owned by the University of Sydney, the terraces will offer 336 students and visiting academics affordable single and double room accommodation across the original Darlington Road complex and four new buildings, between two and four storeys.

“Darlington Terraces will be renovated and four new buildings built providing new and improved student housing in the heart of the inner-city and within minutes of public transport,” Stokes said.

The development will also include new landscaping, park upgrades and public art, delivering broader benefits to the local area.

University of Sydney vice-chancellor Professor Stephen Garton welcomed the approval. 
 

<h2>Other residences ideal for students or investors in Sydney</h2>

While COVID-19 may have halted the flow of international students to Sydney’s inner-city, suburbs, an off-the-plan purchase offers investors an affordable asset as they wait for the borders to reopen.

Urban takes a look at three residences located in high-student populated areas nearby the city’s leading universities:

1. Eminence, Zetland 
Address: 811 Elizabeth Street, Zetland NSW 2017 
One-bedroom apartments from $745,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21882]

Delivering some of Zetland's most luxurious oversized apartments, Eminence is a new offering from Meriton. 

Located a short 600-metres from Green Square and 3.5-kilometres from the CBD, Eminence brings together beautifully-considered living environments with vibrant onsite amenities, including a childcare centre, podium gardens and retail.  
 

2. Polo Collection, Rosebery 
Address: 55 Rothschild Avenue, Rosebery NSW 2018 
One-bedroom apartments from $710,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7588]

Designed by award-winning architects SJB, Polo Collection comprises 275 luxury apartments in the conveniently-located Rosebery. 

Also delivered by Meriton, the four-building complex enjoys connected inner-city living, an expansive floorplan and green vistas thanks to the neighbouring Rosebery Park. 
 

3. Spectrum, Mascot 
Address: 42 Church Avenue, Mascot NSW 2020 
One-bedroom apartments from $620,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5873]

Strategically located under approximately five kilometres from both the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales, Spectrum presents 367 spacious apartments across four boutique residential towers. 

Spectrum is surrounded by leafy walkways and podium gardens and offers ideal north and east aspects over the lush central park towards Sydney CBD in over 75 per cent of residences.
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Owned by the University of Sydney, the terraces will offer 336 students and visiting academics affordable single and double room accommodation

max.kwok_55688

NSW Government greenlights Darlington Terraces rebuild for affordable student housing

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Property investors and owner-occupiers seeking growth may well cast their eye over a new university campus based within the Westmead Health and Innovation District in Parramatta.

The framework agreement between the NSW Government and the University of Sydney will see the campus built adjacent to the Westmead hospitals and is likely to draw 25,000 students and 2,500 staff by 2055. 
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said having a university campus at the core of the Westmead Health and Innovation District will drive innovation and catalyse future growth.

“Having the University at the core of the Westmead Health and Innovation District will help transform the district into a powerhouse of invention, creativity, and commercialisation, and home to world-leading enterprises, start-ups, researchers and students,” Mr Ayres said.

NSW Government’s vision for the District is expected to create more than 20,000 new jobs and contribute an additional $2.8 billion of economic output per year to the NSW economy.

<h2>Developments Nearby</h2>

<h2>Georgette Schofields</h2>

<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/kew_georgetta.jpg" rel="gallery-all"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="340" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/kew_georgetta.jpg?itok=hpMOY12m" width="580"></a>

Within a commutable distance to the new precinct is the low-rise residential development Kew Schofields, in one of Sydney's newest and fastest growing suburbs.

A short 30-minute drive from the Westmead Health and Innovation District, Kew Schofields Stage 2, Georgette, has prices starting at $428,000 with its completion set for late 2021.

There are 137 residences across the five level building.

Buyers can save up to $60,000 buying in to the development with current NSW Government stimulus packages for new build property.

The whole of the masterplan Kew Schofields, slated to be completed by 2022, will have 2,700 sqm of retail space, parks and recreation facilities.

<h2>180 George Street Parramatta</h2>

Harry Triguboff's Meriton have a high-rise under construction in the heart of Parramatta, heralded as Parramatta's tallest residential tower.

Prices start from $502,000 for apartments in 180 George, designed by architecture firm Woods Bagot. It will home 761 apartments and is expected to be finished by December 2021.

<img alt="" height="1015" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/180_george_2.jpg" width="2000">
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The new university campus in Parramatta will likely attract investors and owner-occupiers to its nearby suburbs

Property investors and owner occupiers interested in areas around new University campus in Parramatta

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The wait is almost over for students and employees of the University of Sydney as completion of the highly anticipated Social Sciences building was announced today. The modern and highly sustainable design embraces its heritage context of the Camperdown campus, honouring the legacy of one of Australia’s oldest universities.

Contemporary teaching and learning spaces have been created to encourage collaborative learning through the creation of large light filled open-plan spaces, a design choice made to inspire a sense of faculty community, and inclusiveness.

The design also reflects the University’s commitment to “invention and evolution” by using technological advancements to produce a highly eco-conscious design which meets the University’s Silver As-Built Rating (which is equivalent to a 5 Star Green Star Rating). Features include a well-insulated façade made from metallic bronze-coasted interstitial Sefar micro-mesh interlayer laminated into Okalux Architectural glass. Not only does this create an incredible optical effect, but it also provides excellent thermal protection and encourages natural light flow into the building.

<blockquote>
“We were tasked with designing a transformational building that would integrate its landscape and heritage context to present a new public identity to Parramatta Road, and a sympathetic heritage backdrop when viewed from within the campus. The design was required to respond with a simple and innovative response to a demanding functional brief, with high environmental and social sustainability performance.”
</blockquote>

Jeremy Deale, Principal at Architectus

Art installations throughout the University provide cultural connection to the building's historical significance, traditional owners and faculty. A feature piece emblazoned on the granite façade of the building is a work by Robert Andrew entitled ‘GARABARA’. Garabara is the term for an Australian Aboriginal dance ceremony or gathering where stories are told, and knowledge is passed on to younger generations.

<blockquote>
“It was vital to create a modern facility that both compliments the neighbouring heritage listed buildings, as well as developing a new and innovative building.”
</blockquote>

Jeremy Deale, Principal at Architectus
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Olivia Round

University of Sydney’s highly anticipated Social Sciences building by Architectus opens today

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A new exhibition at the University of Sydney opening this week will look at housing projects from around the world, which could provide solutions to reducing the cost of housing.
Designing Affordability: Quicker, Smarter, More Efficient Housing Now presents more than 20 case studies of houses and apartments internationally, alongside exemplary housing projects in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The exhibition showing at <a href="https://sydney.edu.au/architecture/about/tinsheds/gallery/" target="_blank">Tin Sheds Gallery</a> in the University’s <a href="https://sydney.edu.au/architecture/" target="_blank">Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning</a> is curated by New York-based Marc Norman, an urban planner who has been a strong advocate for affordable housing for more than 20 years.
“It has been interesting to learn that Sydneysiders are experiencing many of the same issues as New Yorkers where, simply put, development costs are exceeding what most people’s budgets can afford,” said Marc Norman.
“A goal of the exhibition is to look at innovative designs for affordable housing, but also look at the broader issue of housing affordability for housing types and populations.
“The best solutions are those projects where design, finance and housing policy are working in unison and creating replicable models for tackling the housing crisis,” he added.
Through case studies, the exhibition shows how architects, engineers, planners, policy makers, tenants and homeowners are crafting new ways to reduce project costs by rethinking how to build and maintain houses, in addition to rethinking the way people live.
From reimagining public housing models, leveraging land and building incrementally, to reconsidering the home and deploying technology, the exhibition looks at different approaches to reducing housing costs.
<a href="https://sydney.edu.au/architecture/about/people/profiles/m.aitchison.php" target="_blank">Associate Professor Mathew Aitchison</a>, Director of the Innovation in Applied Design Lab at the University of Sydney said: “The most striking aspect of the projects in the exhibition is the breaking of conventional boundaries of architecture, planning, property development, finance and construction. It shows a brave, optimistic, inclusive and wide-ranging attitude to innovate, experiment and improve housing solutions.”
The case studies feature varied solutions for a range of housing types from large, publicly-owned housing projects typical during the 1920s through to the 1970s, to privately-owned multifamily buildings, micro units and row homes.
While the make-up of families is now varied, housing choices have been slow to reflect new trends in the way families now live.  Innovative models that integrate sharing, communal facilities and economic development opportunities to create cost savings and build wealth for individuals and communities, are illustrated.
Universally, the competition for land has intensified and acquiring land can be a significant cost in housing construction. Yet the case studies show how major portions of government land are under used, valued and developed, and presents examples where affordability has been developed or preserved in the heart of cities.
New breakthroughs in technology are highlighted that produce hyper-efficient, ‘smart’ apartments that can make city living more affordable, productive and adaptable to lifestyles. By reconfiguring spaces that are multi-purpose and energy efficient, housing and other public costs can be significantly reduced in the longer term.
A <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://sydney.edu.au/news/architecture/295?eventid=11459" target="_blank">one-day symposium</a> on affordable housing will be held in the University’s Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning on Saturday, 8 October. Guest speakers include Marc Norman, along with architects, local policy makers and architecture and planning experts from the University of Sydney and other universities in Sydney. They will examine building innovations, living situations and progressive partnerships unique to Australia that could address housing costs and the affordability issue.
Event details:
What: <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://sydney.edu.au/news/architecture/295?eventid=11432" target="_blank">Designing Affordability: Quicker, Smarter, More Efficient Housing Now</a>
When: 6 October - 18 November 2016
Where: Tin Sheds Gallery, Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning, 148 City Road, University of Sydney
Hours: Tue-Fri, 11am-5pm
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