South East Queensland developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a>’s entry into the Gold Coast apartment market has progressed from pipeline to market, with its Chevron Island project Bronze on Chevron now formally available to purchase ahead of a planned 2029 completion.

The 119-apartment development on Mawarra Street marks the Brisbane-headquartered builder-developer’s first residential play in the Gold Coast, following its expansion south from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> comprises a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, with pricing starting from just over $1.5 million. The project is being delivered under Gardner Vaughan’s fully integrated model, with the group acting as both developer and builder, a structure it has consistently applied across its South East Queensland portfolio.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367182]

Architecture has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jeremy-ferrier-landscape-design">Jeremy Ferrier</a>. The building presents as a single-tower scheme, with a focus on maximising outlook across both the Surfers Paradise skyline and the Nerang River.

Apartments have been planned with open-plan living zones extending to generous balconies, a response to the site’s dual-aspect positioning between river and ocean. Interiors follow a restrained coastal palette, with two colour schemes offered, and an emphasis on natural light and cross-ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367181]

Resident amenity is concentrated across more than 1,250 sqm and includes a resort-style pool, gym, yoga lawn and rooftop entertaining areas. A function space with catering facilities forms part of the upper-level offering, alongside north- and south-facing outdoor areas.

Ground level will incorporate two retail tenancies, intended to extend the existing village character of the surrounding streets.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367200]

The project sits within walking distance of Thomas Drive’s established dining strip, while maintaining proximity to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Surfers Paradise</a> beach and broader Gold Coast amenity. The location, positioned on Chevron Island between the river and coastline, has increasingly attracted mid- to high-density development in recent years as the precinct evolves beyond its low-rise origins.

Gardner Vaughan’s move into the Gold Coast was first signalled in 2025, with the group identifying the region as a natural extension of its operations. Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge described the expansion as both “strategic and natural”, citing demand for well-designed apartments in lifestyle-driven markets.

Construction is expected to complete in early 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

Joel Robinson

Gardner Vaughan brings Bronze on Chevron to market as Gold Coast debut

One of the penthouses at Lily Lane, the latest stage of Carrington Place by Ellipse Property, has set a new local apartment price record.

The four-bedroom residence, purchased by a local downsizer, sold for $5.75 million—around 75 per cent higher than the previous record of $3.3 million.

Over 40 per cent of the first release of apartments at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lily-lane-at-carrington-place-castle-hill-32-carrington-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Lily Lane</a> have already been snapped up just six weeks since it launched to the market.

&nbsp;

Located at 32 Carrington Road, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a> and designed by award-winning architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ptw">PTW</a>, Lily Lane is directly opposite the Hills Showground Metro station. It offers a total 213 units over two 12-storey towers - a mix of 67 one-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom and 46 three-bedroom apartments - with a ground-floor retail offering.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=368352]

Blake Schulze, National Director – Residential at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a>, says around 44 per cent of buyers are&nbsp;owner occupiers, with 35 per cent being investors and 21 per cent first homebuyers.

“Developments of this calibre are very rare in the Hills District, and Lily Lane’s sales success demonstrates the depth of demand for over-sized apartments that genuinely compete with freestanding homes," Schulze says.

"We are seeing particular demand from downsizers who want to remain in the area but transition into spacious, high-quality apartment living."

On the penthouse sale, it says it shows buyers&nbsp;are prepared to pay a premium for scale, quality, and direct access to the Metro.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=368351]

One-bedroom apartments are sized from 50-72 sqm with prices starting at $745,000, while two-bedrooms are priced from $990,000 with sizes from 75 to 132 square metres. Three-bedroom floorplans are sized between 97 and 182 sqm,, with prices starting at $1,395,000.&nbsp;

The three remaining penthouses, spanning up to 262 sqm, are priced from $2.9 million.

Over 75 per cent of apartments include dedicated studies, multipurpose rooms or family rooms, with select layouts offering walk-in pantries and laundries. Apartments are appointed with premium Miele appliances including ovens, washing machines, dryers, gas cooktops and dishwashers, while larger residences also incorporate integrated Miele microwaves, Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated refrigerators and five-burner Miele cooktops.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151821 project_image_fid=360285]

Lily Lane will be constructed by award-winning iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/decode">Decode Group</a>, with construction to commence in mid-2026 and expected to complete early 2029.

Carrington Place comprises more than 800 apartments and is being delivered across multiple stages, with completion expected in 2032. Integrated with neighbouring bushland, the project will feature over 20,000 sq, of outdoor recreational area, including a one-kilometre boardwalk to Fred Caterson Reserve.&nbsp;

The Hills Showground Metro Station is just a two-minute walk away, offering fast connectivity to Sydney’s CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park and Norwest Business Park.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151821]

Ellipse sets Castle Hill apartment record with $5.75 million Lily Lane penthouse sale

Fresh off completing its Delano Crows Nest development, Lindsay Bennelong has lodged plans for its next project, this time turning its attention back to the beach.

The developer, started 20 years ago by Clarendon Homes founder Peter Campbell, is proposing a 37-apartment scheme at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-25-ashburner-street-manly-nsw-2095">17-25 Ashburner Street</a>, Manly, positioned between the southern end of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/manly-nsw-2095">Manly</a> Beach and East Manly Cove.

Lindsay Bennelong called on local architecture firm Platform Architects to design the new building, given their success at Finn, Lindsay Bennelong's current luxury apartment project on North Steyne.&nbsp;

According to the Design Verification Statement by Bridie Gough of Platform Architects, the proposal “relates to the current context but also the desired future character of taller buildings suitable to the new planning controls.”

The site has been identified as a Low to Mid-Rise Housing (LMR) location, given its position within 400 metres of the Manly Town Centre E1 Business Zone. The LMR controls are intended to unlock additional housing supply in well-located areas close to public transport, allowing developers to seek increased height limits to support greater density.

“The proposal seeks to provide this increased level of housing whilst being respectful of some of the smaller scale buildings also nearby,” the statement reads.

Lindsay Bennelong Development Director Leigh Manser said the project has been carefully aligned with the intent of the LMR controls. The proposal will significantly increase housing yield on the site, replacing four houses and 10 apartments, comprising 25 bedrooms, with 37 new apartments delivering a total of 94 bedrooms, whilst remaining compliant with the LMR controls.

“Sydney is in a severe undersupply, and delivering more dwellings and more bedrooms than what currently exists is exactly what the LMR policy is designed to activate,” Manser said, noting that nine of the apartments will be allocated as affordable housing for frontline workers.

“We have already commenced discussions with our community housing provider to determine the rental levels that frontline workers can realistically afford in this location,” he said. “These will need to sit well below the standard affordable housing benchmark of 20 per cent below market rent, and that has been factored into our feasibility and pricing.”

<img alt="Manly" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ad03000f-19f9-48b4-b27d-e85ca800a1da" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-30%20at%208.41.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=a.txHwCZgbCInlQ6QXbIrI.umvW1T.r8" />

The design of the building incorporates a wave-like indentation running through the façade, referencing the nearby coastline and anchoring the building within its local context.

The&nbsp;Design Verification Statement says careful consideration has been given to the articulation of the building, ensuring the bulk is broken down to a more human scale through a defined four-storey podium."

The scheme includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a full-time building manager's office and wellness facilities including a sauna and a gym.

“The design ensures a high level of amenity, with apartments offering generous private open space, many with expansive views, and all with comfortable proportions."

<img alt="Bennelong" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a7f2812-72a1-4959-84b0-997e8cd88aed" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-30%20at%2010.15.50%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6iMxU3MkXmHVHAoNhYBjnqgka8CUZNbk" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lindsay-bennelong-developments">Lindsay Bennelong</a>&nbsp;is currently developing Finn Manly, just four full-floor luxury apartments on North Steyne. They recently welcomed residents to its 81-unit Delano Crows Nest development, a&nbsp;carefully scaled infill project designed to bridge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a>’s lively village centre with its surrounding heritage streets.

Designed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ajc-architects">AJC Architects</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/delano-crows-nest-27-57-falcon-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Delano</a>&nbsp;is arranged across three low-rise buildings, incorporating a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments alongside a limited number of townhomes addressing Hayberry Lane. The architectural approach drew on the area’s Art Deco lineage, reinterpreted through contemporary detailing and framed by landscaped communal gardens.

The developer also has a development site in Maroubra.

First look: Lindsay Bennelong's new Manly apartment development revealed

Fifty-nine residences across 37 levels. No more than two per floor. With 80 per cent now sold, what remains at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/madeline-by-mosaic-broadbeach-22-mary-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Madeline by Mosaic</a> is a short list.

Madeline was always conceived at a scale that sits outside the normal register of Gold Coast apartment living. The residences are half- and full-floor configurations, with the largest spanning more than 400 sqm, dimensions that place them closer to the penthouse end of the market regardless of where they sit in the building.

That scale is the organising principle of everything else: how the floorplans are laid out, how the materials read, how the connection between inside and outside works.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=355941]

The interiors were developed in collaboration with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser &amp; Partners</a>, the architecture practice&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mosaic-property-group">Mosaic</a> brought in as design partner for the first time on this project. The palette runs to natural stone, textured timbers, and soft metallics, materials chosen as much for their tactile quality as their appearance.

Light cleverly shifts across surfaces through the day, and the design is explicit about wanting that to be noticed. Full-height glazing runs across the primary living areas, and where the building faces east toward the ocean, those walls of glass are doing real work: framing a view corridor that the site's position directly opposite Broadbeach State School's playing fields keeps permanently open.

That outlook is the site's most consequential asset. In a suburb where new towers continue to rise, a protected view line is genuinely rare, and the Mary Avenue address secures it. Residents at Madeline will look out over open parkland rather than the rear of another building, a distinction that becomes more meaningful with each new development approved nearby.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=355939]

The private outdoor spaces are sized to match the residences themselves. Terraces on the upper levels frame uninterrupted ocean panoramas, and the planning ensures that living areas extend into those outdoor zones rather than treating them as separate attachments. The flow between the two is part of the design intent, not an afterthought.

Inside, the finish specification reflects the same approach. Rich stone benchtops, warm timber joinery, bespoke hardware, each element specified to hold up over time rather than read as a moment in a particular trend cycle.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150135 project_image_fid=3409]

Beyond the residences, the amenity offering extends that register. A lap pool and sun deck anchor the outdoor space, alongside a magnesium pool, cold plunge, steam room, and sauna.

A commercial-grade gymnasium, residents' lounge, library, and boardroom round out a programme that functions more like a private members club than a standard building amenity floor.

Construction has commenced under Mosaic's in-house building arm, with completion scheduled for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150135]

Madeline by Mosaic delivers penthouse-level living across every apartment

Developer Fortezza Group is the latest to take its new apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-belvedere-5-7-church-street-nelson-bay-nsw-2315">The Belvedere in Nelson Bay</a>, to the NSW Government.

Fortezza, predominantly a South East Queensland developer, is the latest to apply for State Significant Development&nbsp; status through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority, a pathway becoming favoured by developers to speed up the approval process.

They are planning 57 two- and three-bedroom apartments across 5-7 Church Street and 42 Donald Street, near d'Albora Nelson Bay Marina. The diverse apartment mix has sizes from just over 80 sqm to the largest three-bedroom penthouses that reach nearly 200 sqm.

<img alt="Fortezza" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="090360e1-66d7-43ad-b686-aba81f173bf2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-29%20at%2010.22.40%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=DMqF96eBZolqSAAAcugX0l66ueWng66m" />

Fortezza calls the project a "piece of Istria in Nelson Bay,"&nbsp;referring to the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, shared by Croatia (90%), Slovenia, and Italy, which is known for its Roman history, Venetian-style coastal towns and inland hilltop villages.

They say the The Belvedere is strategically positioned at the apex of Nelson Bay, offering unrivalled views of the ocean, the bay and captivating topography of the area.

"Our commitment to maintaining the integrity of every view and sight line has been relentless," Fortezza Group says.

"Through extensive modelling and analysis, we ensure that each apartment enjoys the natural beauty of Nelson Bay, regardless of future developments. Each design element is carefully curated to harmonise with our European heritage, drawing profound inspiration from the Roman architectural marvels in Istria. The arches, the cascades of greenery and the stonework that define our project pay homage to the structures that once exemplified Roman grandeur."

Residents will have access to a pool, communal green spaces, an office and a coffee shop.

First look: Fortezza Group takes The Belvedere, Nelson Bay apartment development, to NSW Government

Residential Design

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GUEST OBSERVER
Sitting at home in the recent heat, your mind may start to wander to that fancy new air conditioner. 
But when it comes to making your house comfortable and sustainable, prevention is better than cure. By prevention we mean simple retrofits that will set you on the path to comfort and sustainability. 
As we spend more than ever on maintaining and improving our homes, we’re also becoming more aware of how their design and use impact on our health and society. Add to this climate change and rising energy costs. 
There are many ways to reduce energy and stay comfortable. Numerous reports suggest it should be possible to reduce your energy use by 50-80 percent using existing and available materials and appliances.
Appliance are the easy bit, and you can find the most efficient appliances using energy star ratings. But before you go out and buy that air conditioner, consider the following principles that can help you decide what you need to create a comfortable home. 
<h2>Prevention better than cure</h2>
For a long time the perfect “room temperature” was considered to be around 21℃. But we now understand that as humans we like temperature variations rather than vanilla indoor environments.
As explored in Lisa Heschong’s book Thermal Delight in Architecture(1979), most of us are not looking for a beige thermal environment after all. So to start with, we need a change in attitude. Bring back the cardigan for winter and the shorts for summer! 
The next point is basic knowledge about your climate zone. For instance, in Melbourne there are more heating days (159) than cooling days (35). So, if you are retrofitting in summer, remember the main annual task is actually letting the sun in in winter.
Even with climate change, Melbourne will still require heating on more days than cooling for decades to come, whereas in Brisbane the priority is keeping out the heat and catching the breeze. 
So Melbourne homes need reversible sunblock. You can use plants with seasonal foliage to shade summer windows, or temporary techniques like temporary sail shades or movable window awnings can work. Plants can also cool outdoor spaces through evapotranspiration, which helps combat the growing “urban heat island” problem and makes the backyard a more pleasant place to be.
Despite some bad press over the years, insulating ceiling, floors and walls where possible remains the best way to address 50-80% of heat gains/losses. In many homes ceiling insulation is cheap and easy to fit and can even be topped up. Insulated homes have also been found to perform better during extreme weather events and are quieter, more comfortable and natural places to be.
In summer sun, black roofs are bad news. Coating surfaces can reflect excess heat. Coating technology has been employed in paint products for your walls and roofs, and is also being developed in landscaping materials for the backyard.
Single-glazed windows are responsible for 10-35% of heat gains/losses in our homes. A range of double-glazed window products is now available, or you can even get a secondary glass pane to place over existing windows. 
Double-glazed (or triple-glazed) homes are more comfortable in extreme weather, and are also quieter and more comfortable. Add drapes and blinds for added temporary use to keep out sun or keep in warmth when needed.
While these preventive passive measures might seem basic, the fact is that (a) technologies, markets and pricing are changing rapidly, so it makes sense to be open to new retrofitting ideas and products; and (b) comfort remains the big-ticket item and it will only get more so as climate change affects all of our homes. Addressing this first will reduce the requirement for other technologies and appliances.
<h2>The principles of retrofitting</h2>
Another area of technology progress is digital data systems to monitor indoor energy services. Energy supplier portals, temperature loggers and smartphone apps are now widely available.
For the more enthusiastic, if you buy a couple of temperature loggers and place one in your main living area and one in your main bedroom you can collect data at intervals as small as one second. You can use this data to identify how your house is performing and how you are using it. More importantly, you can satisfy yourself that the retrofit you’ve just paid for has made a difference.
We’ve only covered a few focus areas in this article. There are many good options we haven’t dealt with. However, we propose three principles for any retrofit project:
<ol>
<li>
prioritise big-ticket items (such as thermal comfort) – what do you need most and what uses the most energy? – to plan and design around your climate zone and home needs
</li>
<li>
prevention is better than cure – focus on passive elements before turning to appliances
</li>
<li>
diversity is better than standardisation – don’t aim for 21℃, aim for controllable comfort, openable windows and adjustable systems room by room. Design in easy adjustment through movable technologies such as fans, curtains, plants and shades.
</li>
</ol>
With all the hard work done, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the new indoor environment, but be aware that, as with our climate, our conventions, routines and expectations of comfort are constantly changing. 
Some argue for evidence of a comfort dividend, where occupants of newly eco-retrofitted homes increase their use of heating or cooling appliances (or both). 
Undoubtedly, as consumption patterns change and social standards shift, we will need to adjust our eco-retrofit priorities. Homes are not just a material work in progress, but are sites of social and cultural life after all.
 
Trivess Moore is research Fellow, RMIT University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/trivess-moore-12580" target="_blank">here</a>.
Andrew Carre is lecturer, RMIT University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-carre-321635" target="_blank">here</a>.
Ralph Horne is deputy pro vice chancellor, Research &amp; Innovation; Director of UNGC Cities Programme; Professor, RMIT University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ralph-horne-160543" target="_blank">here</a>. 
All authors for The Conversation.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Thinking about a sustainable retrofit? Here are three things to consider

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/66488/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Profit-driven developments shape the housing markets of most major cities today.
However, new models exist that offer greater choice and lower costs, foster cohesive neighbourhoods and enable adaptable, customised living solutions.
These alternatives have been diverse and of a high architectural standard. They also allow self-determination: they are initiated by the people who will dwell in them.
Baugruppe – German for “building group” – stands for a long tradition of self-initiated, community-oriented living and the shared responsibility of building. The concept has taken off in Berlin. There is no “typical model” – every project differs in its financing, social make-up, the wishes and desires of the group, and the project’s resulting architectural and urban qualities.
The most significant and innovative built examples, particularly in Berlin, have been initiated by architects for a specific group of clients who were all looking to live in the buildings. 
On the surface, these are practical solutions, where single-family homes are stacked and combined to optimise the use of an urban site. 
On closer inspection, it is clear that close collaboration between architects and clients has resulted in projects packed with special features and spaces that foster social interaction – such as Ritter Strasse 50 and Spreefeld.
Baugruppe adds to urban vitality by considering social issues of inclusion and community and by incorporating mixed-use elements that fuel urban interaction. Green, open and community spaces have proven vital parts of good neighbourhoods and are important here. Common spaces such as rooftop terraces, function rooms, playrooms, guest rooms and even saunas also help to bring people together.
Every baugruppe project in Berlin has a shared garden, which is often also open to the public.
The entire neighbourhood profits from the green and surrounding urban spaces. The experience helps foster a sense of community identity and encourages people to take responsibility for the place they live in.
<h2>Affordable and sustainable</h2>
Long-term affordability helps to create stable neighbourhoods. Alternative models for financing and ownership have offered a new level of long-term affordability within a non-profit ideology.
In collective projects, the future users decide what to invest in and where money can be best saved. This redefines the quality-to-price relationship. 
One example of this is the co-op association Spreefeld. This project diverges from the traditional owner-occupier baugruppe model: here, a land grant or a leasehold contract guarantees the long-term use of land in return for rent. It also ensures that what is built and established there meets certain criteria and ideals.
Personalised solutions, and spaces that can be adapted to suit changing needs over time, allow people with special needs to find a place in the city. For example, these spaces can allow multi-generation living, barrier-free standards, or an environmentally aware way of life.
The Strelitzer Strasse 53 project, on which architect Florian Koehl worked closely with the owner group, includes fold-out balconies, as city planning regulations prohibited real ones.
This inspired many other baugruppen to try new ideas. Such projects show the architect’s role expanding from that of designer to that of initiator, developer, moderator of engagement processes and project manager.
Baugruppe projects are leading the way in environmental sustainability by employing, for example, high-rise timber construction or passive design. Users and owners willingly explore new technology, carefully balancing its pros and cons. Several different types of multi-storey wooden construction solutions are now certified in Germany as a result of baugruppe experimentation.
<h2>Co-operating to create better lives</h2>
It is time that our cities are determined by the people who live in them. High-quality solutions that improve the surrounding communities should become standard. This requires the architectural profession, as well as policymakers, to value such solutions.
Often, the largest challenge for groups is buying a site. Specifically, they must organise the loan quickly enough to beat other investors to the table. Governments could allow payment on a site to be deferred until the groups are fully formed and have planning approval.
By designating public land for development, the social, cultural and urban planning goals of the city can be realised through private initiatives and long-term self-administration.
Goals such as social mix, mixed use, environmental standards or non-profit constraints can all be regulated within land allocation policies. England, Finland and many other countries are re-establishing policy to facilitate baugruppe building.
Baugruppen can help cities meet the challenge of providing an adequate supply of suitable, affordable housing in a sustainable way. By transforming themselves from consumers into pioneers, the people who make up the collectives have succeeded in developing affordable projects that allow a high quality of life and add value to the community.
Kristien Ring is assistant professor, University of South Florida, and 2016 Visiting Fellow, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Western Australia and author for The Conversation.
She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kristien-ring-305141" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Reinventing density: how baugruppen are pioneering the self-made city

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GUEST OBSERVER
Design guidelines are one thing but in order to see ‘better apartments’ in Melbourne, a cultural shift whereby smaller footprint living is normalised is what’s required. 
During a recent panel session on ‘Developing Policy’ hosted by Open Journal as part of its High Density Happiness program at MPavilion, Victorian Minister for Planning Richard Wynne, BKK Architects’ Simon Knott, MA Architects’ Karen Alcock and I discussed how to best support the creation of quality adaptable apartments. 
The session’s focus was on the imminent release of the final Better Apartments guidelines, which are the culmination of a period of industry consultation that followed the Victorian Government’s release of draft design standards in August 2016. 
If the large crowd at MPavilion was anything to go by, these guidelines have touched a nerve within the industry and the apartment market more generally. 
In the process, they’ve initiated a vital conversation about design quality, especially given Melbourne will overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous centre by 2050, with more than 90,000 people coming to live in the city every year. 
If Melbourne is to maintain its mantel as the world’s most liveable city, this regulatory approach to ensuring quality housing will play an important role. However, there needs also to be a recalibration of how we view apartments. 
At present, there’s a disconnect whereby the quality of an apartment is assessed from purely a cash flow perspective that doesn’t take into account capital growth or depreciation. 
What’s needed is a more sophisticated conversation about apartments and how they work in a financial sense. 
For example, apartments at Jewell Station, A New Urban Village by Neometro in the inner- Melbourne suburb of Brunswick can be up to 10 per cent more expensive than other apartment projects in the area but that is down to better quality design, including from a public realm perspective. 
A whole new type of development is being created at Jewell Station, with a collective endeavour that integrates quality apartment living with social infrastructure such as bike paths, communal gardens, public arts and events programs, a rejuvenated local park, cafés, and independent retail and meditation spaces. 
Educating buyers is difficult but they need to know that buying a high quality apartment is a positive financial step. 
Buyers who are better informed about the benefits of quality apartment design will push higher standards on developers and that can only be a good thing. 
James Tutton is director, Neometro and can be contacted <a href="https://neometro.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

We need a more sophisticated conversation about apartments

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What happens when the cameras stop rolling and the director calls cut?
For these seven Block contestant couples the journey into the world of property continued after their room reveals impressed. 
<img src="/images/2016/08/25/1.png" alt="">
Alisa and Lysandra
The Block’s first female team to win the title appeared in The Block Sky High in 2013 and returned again for Fans V Faces in 2014. Following the show the sister duo started a career in interior design, developing their own <a href="https://www.alisaandlysandra.com.au/" target="_blank">interior design company Alisa and Lysandra</a>, partnering with <a href="https://www.fortywinks.com.au/" target="_blank">Forty Winks</a>.
Website: <a href="https://www.alisaandlysandra.com.au/" target="_blank">https://www.alisaandlysandra.com.au/</a>
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlisaLysandra" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/AlisaLysandra</a>
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alisa_lysandra/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/alisa_lysandra/</a>
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/alisa_lysandra" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/alisa_lysandra</a>
Pinterest: <a href="https://au.pinterest.com/alisalysandra/" target="_blank">https://au.pinterest.com/alisalysandra/</a>
 <img src="/images/2016/08/25/2.png" alt="">
Josh and Jenna
Since competing in The Block twice, once in 2011 and again in 2013, Josh and Jenna have renovated and sold their East Albury investment property, partnered with <a href="https://www.beaconlighting.com.au/lighting/josh-and-jenna-range" target="_blank">Beacon</a> to launch a light range and started their own interior design and pre-sale property renovation business, <a href="https://bickerdesign.com.au/" target="_blank">Bicker Design</a>. 
Website: <a href="https://bickerdesign.com.au/" target="_blank">https://bickerdesign.com.au/</a> 
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JennaAndJosh/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/JennaAndJosh/</a> 
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joshandjenna/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/joshandjenna/</a> 
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/joshjentheblock" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/joshjentheblock</a> 
 <img src="/images/2016/08/25/3.png" alt="">
Dani and Dan
After competing on The Block in 2012 and The Block All Stars, the couple started their own online publication, The Home Journal. They also completed the renovation on a house in Seddon and an apartment in East Melbourne.  Currently the couple star as co-hosts on Channel 10’s lifestyle series Healthy Homes. They also founded the Red Door Project. 
Website: <a href="https://reddoorproject.com.au/" target="_blank">https://reddoorproject.com.au/</a> 
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DaniAndDan/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/DaniAndDan/</a> 
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reddoorproject_/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/reddoorproject_/</a> 
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/danianddan" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/danianddan</a> 
Pinterest: <a href="https://au.pinterest.com/basichabitat/" target="_blank">https://au.pinterest.com/basichabitat/</a>
 <img src="/images/2016/08/25/4.png" alt="">
Michael and Carlene
The couple who stared on The Block Glasshouse in 2014 and had a short run on Reno Rumble have launched their online design and construction company, Cedar &amp; Suede. The website focusses on home renovation and offers design consultancy services.
Website: <a href="https://cedarandsuede.com.au/" target="_blank">https://cedarandsuede.com.au/</a> 
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MichaelAndCarlene" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/MichaelAndCarlene</a> 
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cedarandsuede/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/cedarandsuede/</a> 
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/Michael_Carlene" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/Michael_Carlene</a> 
Pinterest: <a href="https://au.pinterest.com/carleneduffy/" target="_blank">https://au.pinterest.com/carleneduffy/</a>
 <img src="/images/2016/08/25/5.png" alt="">
Kyal and Kara
Since their appearance on Fans vs Faves and Reno Rumble the couple run a design and construction business, Diverse Construction which assists with styling, custom joinery, product selections and renovations. 
Website: <a href="https://www.diverseconstruct.com/about" target="_blank">https://www.diverseconstruct.com/about</a> 
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KyalAndKara/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/KyalAndKara/</a> 
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kyalandkara/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/kyalandkara/</a> 
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/KyalAndKara" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/KyalAndKara</a>
 <img src="/images/2016/08/25/6.png" alt="">
Karstan and Maxine 
Since staring on The Block Glasshouse the husband and wife team have maintained a career in the property industry. Karstan has returned to the real estate but continues to help wife Maxine manage their homewares business Poppy Smith Design. The couple also run a blog called <a href="https://www.thediscoverytales.com.au/" target="_blank">The Discovery Tales</a>. 
Website: <a href="https://www.thediscoverytales.com.au/" target="_blank">https://www.thediscoverytales.com.au/</a> 
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PoppySmithDesign" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/PoppySmithDesign</a> 
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/karstanandmaxine/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/karstanandmaxine/</a> 
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/KarstanMaxine" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/KarstanMaxine</a> 
 <img src="/images/2016/08/25/7.png" alt="">
Bec and George
Since staring in The Block Sky High in 2013 the couple have kept up their work in the interior and development industries. George develops properties while Bec is the resident interior consultant for <a href="https://nostrahomes.com.au/" target="_blank">Nostra Homes</a>. 
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BecGeorgeBLOCK/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/BecGeorgeBLOCK/</a> 
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/becandgeorge" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/becandgeorge</a> 
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/becgeorgeblock?lang=en" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/becgeorgeblock?lang=en</a>
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

The seven best designers to come out of The Block

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 GUEST OBSERVER
Architect-designed townhouses are essential to support sustainable population growth in our rapidly expanding capital cities.
Large-scale, master-planned townhouse developments in urban infill sites provide an option for increased density that offers an attractive solution to rising land value while creating a greater number of affordable dwellings in central or well-serviced locations.
ABS data reports two out of three Australians live in a major city, with population growth exceeding predictions. Rather than catering to this growth via urban sprawl, where outer-city suburbs and residents are often underserviced due to the enormous public cost of civic infrastructure, townhouses allow for greater diversity of residents in established communities while adding to the available housing stock. Townhouses are the missing piece of high quality inner-city - living – an architecturally designed product for those who prefer not to live in an apartment, not specifically due to spatial concerns, but lack the budget for stand-alone housing in desirable, well serviced and well located areas. Concern regarding population growth and sustainability present additional reasons for choosing this higher density housing model.
The trend we’re seeing in our own practice is driven by a market gap for dwellings that are more sustainable and affordable than larger detached houses. At ROTHELOWMAN we have witnessed significant growth in the volume of townhouse projects we are designing. From January 2015 to March 2016 we designed 2,384 townhouses, a marked increase from the previous year. With this trend comes a greater appreciation for the typology’s versatility, necessity and market acceptance.
For consumers, large-scale master-planned townhouse developments are not only a financially viable housing alternative, they also provide access to transport corridors and inner-city amenities. Data published by Urbis indicates young professionals, in particular, value proximity to education, entertainment and employment over owning large properties. While perfect for young workers, townhouses also provide the flexibility to cater for varying demographics, from families to downsizing retirees.
In Brisbane, ROTHELOWMAN has designed the staged master-planned development Summerlin to transform negative perspectives around townhouses based on the poorly designed, mass-produced boxes of decades past. Summerlin’s master plan develops an existing industrial site in the suburb of Banyo (within 15km of the CBD), transforming it into a residential community through the creation of new internal streets, laneways, vegetated pedestrian links and communal open space parklands. The architecturally designed townhouses of Summerlin employ a ‘critical regionalism’ that pays homage to the surrounding vernacular of simple, hand-built homes with generous setbacks. Reflecting this, materials chosen for Summerlin include painted weatherboard, rendered masonry and raw brick as an interpretation of the local vernacular. Banyo is surrounded by some of the most biodiverse parts of Brisbane and Summerlin’s design complements this with a 5000m2 park featuring recreation spaces, dense planting, stormwater treatment and pedestrian links.
In the middle-ring Melbourne suburb of Doncaster, where median house prices have reached over $1.2 million (realestate.com.au), the ROTHELOWMAN-designed townhouse development Williamsons Road is a perfect example of how we can offer a growing population high-quality, medium-density residences. Comprising two, three and four bedroom townhouses – a total of 106 dwellings – the mixed housing typologies have enabled new residents to move into the tightly held area, accessing its quality amenity and infrastructure without detracting from the character of the suburb.
In protecting character, amenity and location remain important. Where large detached housing has become less of a priority for city dwellers, we are seeing a return to a pattern that was established in the early history of Australia’s urban centres and capital cities. Terraced housing was introduced to Australia in the 19th century, based on architectural typologies that had been developed in areas of Europe to meet the already burgeoning challenges of density and urban sprawl. Establishing townhouses as a solution to demand isn’t a novel answer then but one that has been tested over centuries.
For developers, master-planned townhouse developments can create a density that meets the demands of rising land value yet balances it with a desire for quality sustainable, active, green and thriving communities that are attractive and highly liveable for residents. Lotus Terraces, ROTHELOWMAN’s latest townhouse project in Woollooware (24km south of Sydney’s CBD), creates a village-like atmosphere through the design of a community centred around a green common to be shared by all.
The key to explaining this critical typology within developing future cities is skilfully balancing urban amenity and proximity to cultural infrastructure with space and affordability. It is getting these balances right that makes creating a new generation of top quality master-planned townhouse developments absolutely critical for the cities of tomorrow. 
Jeff Brown is Principal, Rothe Lowman Brisbane and can be contacted <a href="https://www.rothelowman.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
<h4> </h4>
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Reinventing the townhouse for Australia's shifting cities: Jeff Brown

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How do you solve a problem like traffic, noise and pollution in our growing cities? For the Spanish city of Barcelona, the answer could lie in the creation of ‘superblocks’.
Under the plans, the Catalan capital intends to restrict traffic to a number of big roads, creating pedestrianized, small communities within the city’s grid system. It’s hoped that doing so could reduce traffic by 21 percent as well as free up around 60 percent of the city’s streets.
“The aim is to improve the quality of life for people in the city’s inner suburbs,” says JLL’s Luis Guardia Torres, JLL director, General Cataluña. “Superblocks should lead to a more sustainable, greener environment with greater productivity within these communities.”
Impact on retail and rents
The areas identified for superblocks are on a grid system – streets containing residential apartment blocks on upper floors, with retail space on the ground floor.
More people circulating at street level should be good news for the area’s retailers, who have been particularly hard hit by the rise of online shopping. Unlike the city’s malls or high streets, they’ve never been able to offer the attraction of a day out or shopping experience.
Guardia is hopeful. “We have seen in the past that, where streets are pedestrianized, more retailers want to take on leases,” he says. “The real estate becomes a more interesting proposition. And if we see an increase in good tenants coming into these areas, with strong competition for this kind of retail space, rents may rise and they’ll attract investors.”
Without noise from traffic, these areas will become nicer places to live and this will impact residential prices, too. “We don’t have the forecasts yet because these changes will be slow but in time there’s likely to be an increase in rents,” Guardia says.
“In the very long-term you could even see small hotels moving out, given the proposed changes in the law to restrict the number of hotels in the city centre. But that’s a way off because these laws have yet to be finalized,” he says.
A model for other cities?
Guardia even suggests that this model could impact cities beyond Barcelona. “Many cities look to Barcelona for ideas and inspiration. It’s become one of the top five tourist destinations in Europe, largely because of City Hall interventions in the wake of the 1992 Olympic Games. Other cities will be watching the superblocks and wondering if they can adapt this model.
“After all, all cities need solutions for traffic and pollution, plus they need to maintain a high quality of life for inhabitants and create a thriving retail environment.”
Barcelona’s reputation for bringing about successful urban change is strong. The city has turned an industrial area into a mixed-use residential, office and technology quarter, and created a mixed-use waterfront area with several beaches from a former port. Perhaps superblocks are the natural next step for this innovative city.
This article featured in JLL Real Views
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Can the idea of superblocks improve city living?

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/57114/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
Housing affordability issues in Australia have resulted in people looking for alternative ways to build accommodation more cheaply. A recent worldwide trend has been to convert shipping containers to liveable accommodation. However, some real challenges lie behind the rosy picture of turning shipping containers into homes.
From the perspective of recycling and environmental sustainability, it is a very good initiative. Many containers are on a one-way journey, mostly originating from China (the world’s manufacturing house), to the developed nations. These containers are used just once for shipping and then end up being used – if at all – as storage or portable office spaces.
Many companies are now offering to build container homes. One can find a great variety of interesting floor plans to turn containers into housing. But the reality isn’t always as straightforward as these plans suggest. What are the main challenges to consider?
<h2>Container quality and engineering sign-off</h2>
Online videos and photos emphasise the benefits of recycling containers to build accommodation. However, a number of conditions must be met to ensure the house is structurally sound.
First, if the design requires cutting through the walls to put in windows or doors, it affects the structural integrity of the container. A structural engineer will be needed to develop an engineering drawing to ensure the house will be structurally sound. There is a cost associated with this activity, as with any other type of construction such as steel-frame housing, timber-frame housing or brick-and-tile housing.
Further, many engineers are wary of signing off on used shipping containers, because it is more difficult to assess the structural state of these. They most often recommend using a brand-new container. This is another added cost, as the price of 12-metre cube containers starts from A$5,000, whereas a used container may cost $1,800.
<h2>Health and safety</h2>
Health and safety concerns arise when it cannot be ascertained what was shipped using a second-hand container.
If human carcinogenic elements or harsh chemicals (which may have left invisible traces) were shipped in a container, one would not want to use that container to live in.
Ensuring this is not the case adds to the challenges of using a second-hand container. This is because tracing the cargos and journeys end-to-end across the full container lifecycle can be very difficult.
<h2>Usable space</h2>
Housing built from shipping containers is limited by their dimensions. They are roughly 2.35m wide internally and commonly come in two lengths: 6m or 12m.
One also needs to take into account internal stud work to put in drywalls, which can further reduce the width. A 2.35m width is already quite small for any room other than a shower or a bathroom.
To give an idea of how small, a king-sized bed is 1.83m wide. So there will very limited room to put bed side tables or dressing table.
If two containers are cut to create a 4.7m wide room, the space becomes too big for many purposes. If you need a smaller (or more common) width, you need to build a stud wall. That is another added cost.
Hence, the options for customising the container home are very limited if it is to remain affordable.
<h2>Insulation and comfort</h2>
Insulation is a very critical element of a comfortable lifestyle. The Building Code of Australia as well as the local shire or council are very conscious of insulation standards.
The shipping container is a basically a large steel box. Physics says steel will get hot in summer and cold in winter. To counter these natural effects, the container has to be very well insulated.
Now, the question is where to insulate: on the exterior, or the interior, or both?
Exterior insulation will be better because this will prevent the heat or cold reaching the metal and keep the internal environment comfortable. But putting external insulation on a container means having a stud wall frame or similar arrangement to hold the insulation in place, so that’s an additional building cost.
Ceramic paint insulation is another option and it does offer some degree of insulation. Note, though, that most “before and after” studies have taken a dark-coloured container (such as red, green or blue) and shown the benefit when painting it with a white ceramic paint. The reduction in temperature is partly due to using white paint.
Container housing may be a viable alternative accommodation option. But it can be hard to know whether it will be significantly cheaper than any other ways of building a home without doing considerable research into what the housing requirements and design will involve.
Vidyasagar Potdar is senior research fellow, School of Information Systems, Curtin University and author from The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vidyasagar-potdar-229256" target="_blank">here</a>.
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