High Density Happiness - Neometro

Feature Article

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Photography Derek Swalwell & Dave Kulesza

As seen in the local project magazine %magazine%

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Happiness comes from within but as Neometro founding director Jeff Provan knows all too well, our happiness is also highly influenced by the places in which we live and work.

“We all deserve to live in a space which has amenity and a feeling of home, and it has to be a beautiful place to live,” Jeff says. With this in mind, Jeff and fellow director James Tutton have worked to ensure Neometro designs environments for people to live happily within, regardless of scale.

Happiness Comes From Within But As Neometro Founding Director Jeff Provan Knows All Too Well, Our Happiness Is Also Highly Influenced By The Places In

From the start, Neometro has been a collaborative of designers, architects, artists, consultants, clients, authorities and end users – with Jeff and James conducting and facilitating all of these aspects. “In that role, it was crucial for us to have a vision,” Jeff says.

“All along, the vision has been informed and extended by the practice: we see every building as a prototype and have learnt from our experiences. What’s more, across three decades we have watched our buildings develop their own personalities via the people who live there,” he continues.

Photography by Derek Swallwell.

As A Developer Demographics And Statistics Are An Important Part Of The Decision Making Process 1024x683

A 2009 Neometro development, Harper Lane in St Kilda.

A bad building can be in situ for a very long time, affecting how a community lives and engages in its surrounds. Neometro stands out for its ability to share the positive lessons it has learned with the wider building and design industry to encourage positive housing outcomes. “We are always thinking about past lessons and improving our offering and this organic process has led Neometro to where we are today,” Jeff reflects.

“We all deserve to live in a space which has amenity and a feeling of home, and it has to be a beautiful place to live.”

A recent example is Neometro’s collaboration with award-winning Clare Cousins Architects at Brunswick’s 17 Union St. Only a limited number of apartments remain at the project, where a series of beautiful, flexible and liveable apartments are created to stand the test of time.

Set within the residential extension of one of Fitzroy’s prominent early-twentieth-century buildings, Smith Street is an apartment designed by Neometro in association with Grant Amon Architects and MA Architects.

All six homes of Six Brookville Road have been designed with generous outdoor spaces that extend living areas; the penthouse boasts an expansive terrace that wraps around the entire perimeter of the building.

“I was excited to work with Neometro on 17 Union St,” says Clare Cousins. “They’re highly respected, and leaders in the field.” The energy-efficient interiors and smart use of space give a nuanced residential experience with a natural sense of flow and will be pleasurable places to live for many decades to come.

“We are always thinking about past lessons and improving our offering and this organic process has led Neometro to where we are today.”

By working collaboratively to harness the power of design, 17 Union St is a compelling chapter in the story of the evolution of Neometro and is the embodiment of the concept of ‘High Density Happiness’ for which it is known.