214 Nicholson Street
Fitzroy

This apartment building was designed to maximise its prominent corner site in a mixed use urban neighbourhood in Fitzroy, Melbourne. The mainly grey aluminium exterior with splashes of rust is clearly visible from the street. The balustrade helps to camouflage the required setbacks, while black, flat steel shrouds articulate the horizontal openings through the centre of the building and provide shade from the sun. At street level, a wall incorporating recycled timber posts will eventually be disguised by green climbers. This was a way to deal with the non-active frontage- the ground floor is taken up with car parking which is in the form of pit stackers. Natural materials were introduced wherever possible, and include a timber screen at the entry. The mosaic floor tiles in the entry add a whimsical note- they mimic a lawn with grass and daisies. A steel framed timber staircase flanked with aluminium mesh and recycled timber takes you through the remaining three levels. The internal layout of the building for the second and third level comprises of 4 two bedroom, two bathroom apartments, inclusive of a study. The remaining fourth and fifth level contains a luxury penthouse with 3 bedrooms, each with their own ensuite. The  kitchen, living with fireplace, dining, study and large laundry and master bedroom and all on the fourth level. Entry to the penthouse can be either through the front entry door from the common area stair or via the passenger lift which is accessed via the internal of the penthouse under a curved timber battened ceiling. This is a gateway building on the East side of Nicholson St as you travel south towards the Melbourne CBD. This project was runner-up in the HIA 2012 Victorian Housing Awards in the apartment category.