2021 National Architecture Awards shortlist
Traditional Land Owners: The Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation
Lothian is a speculative development on an island site in North Melbourne. The housing mix is unusual, consisting of six four storey plus roof garden strata titled townhouses and two stacked two-storey apartments, one with a roof garden.
The design was inspired by the North Melbourne context – local examples of nineteenth and early twentieth century industrial buildings – handsomely scaled edifices of manufacturing’s golden age. Red bricks, the dominant material of these reference buildings, informed the material expression of our building, manifesting grand scale with texture and fine-grained detail.
The balancing of formal expression and high-quality domestic space into a single architectural expression in a legible, logical, convincing and practical sense is the success of the project, but we also wanted it to be sustainable – a robust building, flexible to adaptation, energy efficient and comfortable. And beautiful – in the sense of being a valued part of the urban realm.
Client perspective:
How does the design benefit the way you live/work/play/operate/educate/other?
“The dance between compliance and aesthetics of a heritage listed building was a challenging task that required clear thinking and creative solutions.
It’s not until you sit back and review the project that you appreciate the transformation from a neglected, dark, pigeon infested site with intrusive elements introduced over many years to a sensitive and spectacular representation of the history of the building.
WBa’s skills as specialist heritage architect and heritage advisor enabled the building to be completed on budget despite the late impact of Covid and the many unknown compliance requirements. I can’t thank Peter and Sean enough.”
Patrick Kennedy, Design Architect
Rachel Nolan, Design Architect
Victoria Reeves, Design Architect
Susan Syer, Design Architect
Jacky Oro, Project Architect
Michael Macleod, Design Architect
Amy Evans, Project Architect
Marnie Morieson, Architect
Webber Design, Structural Engineer
ARG Planning, Town Planner
Sustainability House, ESD Consultant
Metro Building Surveyor, Building Surveyor
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
