St Clare | Woods Bagot

St Clare | Woods Bagot | Photographer: Trevor Mein

2026 National Architecture Awards Program

St Clare | Woods Bagot

Traditional Land Owners

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation

Year
2026
Chapter

Victoria

Category
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
Builder
Hacer Group
Photographer
Jono Parker
Trevor Mein
Media summary

St. Clare is a sophisticated retirement precinct that redefines later living through a holistic, age-in-place model. Designed for the discerning downsizer market, the project balances 103 high-end residences with resort-style amenities. The architecture prioritizes fine-grain integration with the Kew neighborhood, referencing the historic mansionette typology and Arts and Crafts vernacular. This contextual response is articulated through a robust material palette of textured brickwork and sculpted mansard rooflines, which successfully mitigate building massing while echoing the local heritage character. The masterplan features the meticulous restoration of three heritage buildings, interwoven with contemporary structures within a lush, biodiverse landscape. Guided by biophilic principles, the precinct fosters resident wellbeing through curated garden interfaces and framed natural views. These residences offer inbuilt spatial flexibility to accommodate evolving needs, ensuring long-term independence. St. Clare creates a secure, accessible village environment that seamlessly blends heritage conservation with modern luxury and technical design excellence.

 

St. Clare offers residents resort-style living with shared facilities including pool, sauna, gym, mat pilates, golf simulator, lounge and bar, gold-class cinema, library, and art studio. Amenities designed for preventative wellness help residents to maintain independence. Apartments feature grand proportions, ample storage, and subtle aging-in-place design. Woods Bagot future-proofed residences for adaptability, enabling longer stays. Architecture maintains elegant aesthetics while ensuring circulation space for mobility devices if needed. Outdoor areas extend this consideration, with accessible pathways and step-free access integrated into the broader site design, supporting independence, adaptability, and wellness in a refined, thoughtfully planned environment.

Project Practice Team

Peter Miglis, Design Architect
Blair Parkinson, Project Architect
Yina Yun, Project Architect
Rohini Contractor, Project Architect
Laura Haywood, Project Architect
Ana Sa, Design Architect
Glen Crawford, Interior designer
Marcia Ascencio, Interior designer
Grant Hopwood, Designer
Bronwyn McColl, Interior Designer

Project Consultant and Construction Team

Oculus, Landscape Consultant
ESD, ADP, ESD Consultant
Jensen Hughes, Engineer

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