Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation
Victoria
Merri Northcote is a housing-led urban renewal project that reconnects the established Northcote neighbourhood to the Merri Creek while delivering a generous, pedestrianised public realm. The project provides 250 new mixed-tenure homes within a permeable, landscaped precinct where movement, planting, shared spaces and a thoughtfully designed ground plane shape community life.
A network of paths and small piazzas links Walker Street to the creek corridor, opening the site to residents and the wider community. Cars are directed underground, allowing the ground plane to prioritise walking, social interaction and mature landscape to create privacy over time, while remaining open and welcoming. With no visual distinction between social and private housing, the project supports inclusion and a diverse community.
Merri Northcote demonstrates how increased density can strengthen neighbourhood character, improve access to nature and position public housing renewal as a positive contribution to the city.
Merri has been conceptualised to complement the natural beauty of the creek and reflect the values of the community. Urban design and the natural environment are brought together through the blending of architecture and setting. Focusing on the landscape architecture, nature is encouraged to integrate within the public spaces and the buildings. The landscape plan works to establish a vibrant community, around key communal open space plazas providing opportunities for seating and gathering spaces. Prioritising access within and external to the site, fosters social connections between residents and the wider community, while simultaneously promoting healthy, active lifestyles.
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
Acoustic Logic, Acoustic Consultant
Codus Building Surveyors (formerly PLP), Building Surveyor
Mordue Engineering, Civil Consultant and Structural Engineer
Stantec, Vertical transport, Fire Protection, Fire Engineer and Electrical, ESD, Hydraulic, Services and Traffic Consultant
Rider Levett Bucknall, Quantity Surveyor
Contour, Town Planner
Salt3, Waste Consultant
Veris, Land Surveyor
GeoAust, Geo Engineering
Morris Golding Access Consulting, DDA
Adadaz Leadlighs, Leadlighting