Traditional Land Owners: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung

The design draws strongly from the language and materiality of Fitzroy’s historic working class building fabric, their relief patterns, the composition of windows and doors to the façade and the rhythm of party walls that line the streetscape. This informed the design process from the outset, creating a strong connection with the neighbouring context.

Subtle details and materiality amplify the building’s honest character and feel. When encountered from the street, the building appears as a series of singular, raw concrete shells simply and unashamedly stacked, one upon the other. Each apartment is transformed into a vessel that offers a sense of enclosure and protection.

Each junction is dressed and celebrated reimagining original wrought iron lacework on eaves and fences to become galvanised balustrades and soffit embellishments at 231 Napier, while party wall curves and reliefs are reflected as smooth fillets to perimeter masonry walls.