Victoria Street Development: Contemporary Urban Apartment Complex In Brunswick.pdf

Louis Chiodo Architects won the commission to design the Victoria Street development in Brunswick, Melbourne, over two other architectural firms. The brief was to create a contemporary, energy-conscious urban apartment development that made the most of the site while observing rigorous height restrictions. The development included a car park, home offices, and a cafe that interfaced with Clifton Park and busy Victoria Street.

The development was a perfect fit for Louis Chiodo Architects, who specialise in Master planning residential projects, as well as designing commercial and community projects. Six of the firm's ten employees were channeled into the project, with extra staff brought in. The design steered away from creating a massive monolithic building, instead working on a more 'human scale', dividing 155 apartments into four smaller buildings and a carpark.

The buildings are striking, as well as mingling unobtrusively in their urban setting. The facades feature 'a lot of visual movement and articulation, avoiding repetitiveness.' Colours are muted. The development includes a common, landscaped area featuring exposed aggregate paving that will join all buildings at ground level.

Prime Projects Construction began work on the Victoria Street development in January 2010. The end result will be 155 apartments, 12 home offices, and a restaurant in four buildings set above an undercroft for car parking. The project managers, Luke and Mathew Squire, have it sussed, despite the complicated build in terms of layout and access.

Prime Projects Construction operates mainly in Victoria, Western Australia, and Queensland, with over 40 years experience in construction and more than 10,000 homes built. The company has built luxury homes, group housing developments, and large-scale apartments such as the Victoria Street development.