Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation
Victoria
Merri Northcote is a mixed-tenure residential precinct delivering 250 new homes on the banks of Merri Creek, including 99 social housing dwellings managed by HousingFirst on behalf of Homes Victoria. Designed with no visual distinction between social and private homes, the project supports dignity, inclusion and a connected community with shared access to amenity.
Homes are arranged within a thoughtfully landscaped, pedestrian-focused environment that prioritises light, ventilation, privacy and connection to outdoor space. A richly planted ground plane links residences to shared paths, gardens and the creek corridor, supporting everyday social life and long-term liveability.
Developed in close collaboration with MAB and a multidisciplinary team, Merri Northcote demonstrates how well-designed high-density housing can deliver environmental performance, strong community outcomes and add value to an established neighbourhood.
The project transformed a former under-utilised and dilapidated social housing site into a vibrant and energised precinct. Tenure blind design ensures social and private homes are indistinguishable, supporting organic growth of a diverse community. Varied apartment layouts and typologies meet the evolving needs of the community. A 14% increase in social housing delivers a balanced mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom dwellings, equitably integrated across the site for both social and private. Entry-level housing was also prioritised, with 30% of private dwellings suitable for First Home Buyers and released exclusively to first home buyers in late 2021.
James Legge, Project Director & Conceptual Lead
Simon O’Brien, Design Director & Visualisation Lead
Horaci Sanchez, Project Lead & Design
Geoff Cowap, Interior Lead
Gamze Uzunay, Project Architect and Construction Stage Lead
Angela Reid, Documentation
Alex Macdonald, Interiors & Documentation
Luke Braakhuis, Digital Design/BIM & Documentation
Anastasia Bono, Graduate of Architecture
Wendy Li, Architect
Marine Rouanet, Senior Designer
Thomas Chiew, Student of Architecture
Kimberly Atkinson, Graduate of Architecture
Leia Parascandalo, Student of Architecture
Eloise Coyle, Architect
Mark McQuilten, Architect
Hayden Brown, Student of Architecture
Ryan Weybury, Graduate of Architecture
Nattira Kaewwata, Senior Designer
Caroline Moureau, Senior Designer
Rivkah Stanton, Architect
Amy Hall, Architect
Elliott Bolt, Student of Architecture
Mariam Geme, Student of Architecture
Vien Nguyen, Graduate of Architecture
Simon Jeppesen, Architect
Elsa Bourdon, Graduate of Architecture
MAB Corporation, Developer
Brady Constructions, Builder
TCL, Landscape Architect
Mordue Engineering, Structural Engineer and Civil Consultant
Contour, Town Planner
Codus Building Surveyors (formerly PLP), Building Surveyor
Stantec, Vertical transport, Fire Protection, Fire Engineer and Electrical, ESD, Hydraulic, Services and Traffic Consultant
Rider Levett Bucknall, Quantity Surveyor
Salt3, Waste Consultant
Arboriculture, Arborist
GeoAust, Geo Engineering
Acoustic Logic, Acoustic Consultant
Six Degrees Architects, Interior Designer
Morris Golding Access Consulting, DDA
Adadaz Leadlighs, Leadlighting