Fitzgerald St.

This small project explores ways of creating a dynamic complex street address through a simple planning shift.

This project was designed and constructed in conjunction with a larger project 3 doors up. We deliberately developed a distinct architectural language for this smaller project to create a contrast between this and the more domestically referenced work at 484 Fitzgerald Street.

This design developed a simple planning shift from floor to floor to create a deeply articulated street and rear elevation. This shift evolved through mirroring the location of apartments from one floor to the next, creating decks over floors below and soaring eaves in apartments over. The planning of this required careful and considered solutions for stacked and rising services. The resultant building form is strongly expressive, urban and successfully delivers on this original concept.

The planning solution allowed for the bulk of the accommodation to be moved off the ground floor, which suffers the greatest from the noise of this busy road. The cubed forms which express the staggered stack form also create opportunities to screen the outdoor living spaces from the busy screen and to resolve privacy requirement for the apartments.

This smaller project was delivered for a modest budget and, considering the complexity of the planning solution and the size of the project, represents excellent value for infill development. The location and size of the site required the use of a construction methodology which negatively impacted on the cost of the project but still delivered a feasible project for the client. The consultation with councils lead to the inclusion of additional expensive and redundant requirements, including the two metre building easement for the future MAX light rail project.

The planning shift which forms the basis for the design is moderated slightly on the North to accommodate additional light into the North side apartments. Banks of louvers have been used to encourage natural ventilation of the apartments - over 70 percent of the apartments enjoy good access to natural ventilation. Common spaces enjoy natural ventilation and natural illumination. All the apartments exceed the statutory requirement for environmental performance and have good access to outdoor spaces and light.

The materials of the building shift as the building elevates. Massive and domestic masonry land the building on two freestanding plinths while the floors above are textured concrete of alternating colours to further emphasise the planning flip and mirroring through the built form.

PROJECT SUMMARY

496 Fitzgerald Street explores ways of creating a dynamic complex street address through a simple planning shift.

Planning solution allowed for the accommodation to be moved off the ground floor, which suffers the greatest from the noise of this busy road. The cubed forms which express the staggered stack form also create opportunities to screen the outdoor living spaces from the busy screen and to resolve privacy requirement for the apartments.

This design developed a simple planning shift from floor to floor to create a deeply articulated street and rear elevation. This shift evolved through mirroring the location of apartments from one floor to the next, creating decks over floors below and soaring eaves in apartments over. The planning of this required careful and considered solutions for stacked and rising services. The resultant building form is strongly expressive, urban and successfully delivers on this original concept.