From the Architect

1-7 Nelson Street is a 110 apartment development by C&K Architecture in the heart of Ringwood, a key suburb in Melbourne’s eastern growth corridor. Just metres from the bustling Eastland Shopping Centre, the project brings the sleek and contemporary architecture of the inner city to the suburbs.

Underpinning the entire project process was an emphasis on quality, with all project partners avoiding any potential compromise on the end result for purchasers. This ethos was carried through from inception to architectural design, construction and settlement.

Well designed, the building form and landscaping harmoniously complement each other – one cannot exist without the other. Designed by award winning landscape architect John Patrick, the landscaping design response pays homage to the local area, ensuring nature could be integrated comfortably in the space. The built form objective was to establish a good balance between achieving a favourable yield whilst respecting and embracing the project’s broader context.

Feng Shui elements of water and fire were also integral components of the brief. The water element was answered with the waterfall effect water feature at the entry and fire was encapsulated by the lobby’s elegant free standing fireplace.

Architecturally, planning saw the opportunity to utilise additional space for built space, however, upon extensive consultation and deliberation, it was decided to give this up, allowing for an entry boulevard and a very spacious lobby for residents instead. Created with the intent to deliberately soften the development’s bulk and appearance, the boulevard divides the building into two. By adopting this strategy, it reduces the building mass and simultaneously transforms the structure into an attractive view that enhances the neighbourhood’s character.

Innovative for its incorporation of a dual building layout, connected by a central lobby and boulevard, this design outcome was the result of clever planning when faced with having to protect an established gum tree and distribute light to the centre of the building. Unique to suburban multi-residential projects, the boulevard and its neighbouring oversized and lavish grand lobby reinforces the user’s sense of entry; a style that is typically found in a five star hotel.

A main point of difference, the lobby transcends standard residential lobbies in terms of aesthetics and size. The concept of the lobby and the elegant way it was designed was one of the main selling points for this development with feedback from buyers that it took apartment living to another level and is reflected by sales of 20% before the display suite opened. The formal entry lobby is the most important encounter point for the visitor or occupant. It forms the first impression about the quality and style of the development and as a result was conceived as a grand space rich in colours and textures, revealed progressively to the eye.

Within the private residences, light-filled open plan apartments include engineered timber flooring, a cool or warm scheme kitchen, stone benchtop, laminate kitchen cabinets and overheads, integrated appliances and built in robes. Residents are also treated to extra large spaces with low maintenance, communal outdoor entertaining facilities such as a BBQ and sitting area, ideal for entertaining.

On the building’s exterior the incorporation of composite metallic cladding, timber look cladding, render in mixed hues and obscure glass, provides a modern, inner city feel. The building is predominantly concrete precast and built of light weight structure. The metallic copper cladding is the focal point to the heart of the building.

The ESD response ensures that the design meets sustainability targets of assessment tools in the key areas of energy reduction, water use reduction, Water Sensitive Urban Design, indoor environment quality, material selection, transportation, waste management, urban ecology and innovation.

The development has been met with a positive reception from not only buyers but also the Maroondah City Council and relevant authorities. The local council has been supportive and forward thinking, which has been reflected in the outcome.