Projects

15 Thompson Street in Kensington sets a new benchmark for quality, community focused accommodation, bringing together commercial and community uses with residential life in an affordable, sustainable addition to the current apartment offerings in Melbourne. The 199-apartment project offers a range of one, two and three bedroom apartments delivered under Assemble’s innovative purchase pathway.

The building form appears as ‘community clusters’ delivered across two conjoined buildings to accommodate an interconnected living program. Wrapped in fluted textured pre-cast concrete façade, the built form celebrates the neighbourhood’s industrial past. Intricate brickwork, vertical steelwork and tactile materials create layers of textural detail to express the suburb’s rich history.

Many other design choices seemingly made at an aesthetic level have a very functional purpose in working towards the project’s goals of sustainability. Open-air walkways support apartments to be more energy efficient, keeping them cool in the summer; and natural light and crossflow ventilation keep apartment life happy and healthy. Apartments have an average 7-star NatHERs rating, confirming a stable temperature and efficient running costs.

A generous rooftop is envisioned as an open, practical social space. Cooking and dining facilities, a basketball court, sandpits, a chicken coop and herb gardens encourage leisure and connection for all ages. An additional workshop is included for more ‘messy’ jobs, and a bookable two-bedroom apartment provides a separate space when guests come to stay.

The location of the building itself encourages a more sustainable lifestyle, with the Capital City Trail and public transport choice nearby. Design choices maximise this significant connectivity. Inspired by the Dutch approach, an oversupply of cycle racks and dedicated bike access marks a conscious decision by the designers to encourage a less car-dependent future.