An upcoming apartment development in St Kilda is combining passive design, green materials and construction waste management to deliver one of the greenest multi-residential buildings within Melbourne, ultimately setting the benchmark for eco-conscious living.

Designed by award-winning architects BayleyWard for international property developer Gamuda Land, the $90-million Fareham project will target net zero in operations and achieve a minimum 8-Star average NatHERS rating. According to CSIRO, 72.50 percent of new homes within Victoria have an average rating of 6-Star, while only 3.77 percent of dwellings are rated 8-Star or higher.

Rising 16 levels high, Fareham will feature 73 residences with a maximum of six apartments per floor, with the development offering exceptional bay views, a communal garden on level one, a wellbeing room on level two, and a communal rooftop on level 15.

Gamuda Land has appointed family-owned construction firm Markscon, responsible for constructing two industry-leading Nightingale projects, to implement sustainable construction techniques throughout the build.

These include incorporating passive design principles, utilising green concrete technology where possible, and prefabricating concrete elements offsite to reduce the requirement for new materials. Markscon will also aim to divert 90 per cent of all waste from landfill by sorting materials to ensure they can easily be recycled.

Future residents will benefit from passive design features such as airtight construction, high-performance, thermally-broken windows, and high levels of insulation, ensuring more consistent internal temperatures and lower energy bills.

The carefully selected materials palette will include low to zero-VOC paints as well as recycled materials or locally manufactured products, where possible.

The project will be powered by an embedded network that provides 100% renewable energy, including rooftop solar photovoltaic panels. Key features also include a mix of water-efficient WELS rated fixtures and fittings ranging from dishwashers to taps, EV charging capabilities, secure bike parks and an onsite bicycle workshop to encourage residents to opt for greener travel arrangements.

Fareham is not only an exemplar of eco-conscious living in the City of Port Phillip but also the broader multi-residential space within Melbourne, observes Gamuda Land general manager Jarrod Tai.

“In 2021, Gamuda Land unveiled the Gamuda Green Plan – a commitment to sustainable construction and development, with specific steps to reduce corporate greenhouse gases emission intensity by 30% in 2025, and by 45% in 2030. Our mission has always been to work with nature, preserve what was there before us and find innovative ways to incorporate it into our design.

“We are bringing this same commitment to our Melbourne projects and believe Fareham will help set the standard with its target of 8-Star NatHERS and its goal of being net zero in operation.”

Fareham is currently under construction and is due for completion in 2026.

Image: Studio Piper / Gabriel Saunders

Architecture & Design Team

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