The success of Wolfdene’s ‘AVA I’ medium density development has continued with a win announced recently at the Australian Institute of Architects Awards under the Category of ‘Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing’.
Designed by award winning architects SJB and comprising 18 two storey dwellings in the established Alarah community, ‘AVA I’ was recognised for its clever exterior combination of natural and refined finishes.
With contemporary pitched gable roofs offering weather protection and solar shading, sleek lines, rendered walls, textural brickwork and the natural beauty of warm coloured timbers completed the captivating design.
What the judges had to say about AVA I:
“In the rapidly developing growth area of Cranbourne, these townhouses demonstrate that low-cost, middle-density housing is viable outside of current mass-market models. The design starts at an urban scale, creating positive frontage to a large remnant open space. The design works hard to establish a sense of urbanity through attention to the street with small but effective front gardens and fences, and footpaths significantly free of the many vehicle crossovers and garage doors that dominate the surrounding area.
“Alarah Townhouses achieved this through simple but effective management of private cars, which enter via a new through-block laneway serving as an informal back door. A channel for stormwater as well as a potential play space, the laneway is fronted by a mix of garages, carports and courtyard access to individual houses. Interiors are straightforward, compact and liveable with ground floor kitchen windows looking directly out to the street providing a welcome sense of life, activation and passive surveillance.”
The success of AVA I inspired Wolfdene to replicate similar models, including ‘AVA II’, which is located adjacent to AVA I and was the recipient of an Award for Excellence last year by the Urban Development Institute of Australia in the Affordable Housing category. Additional townhouse developments – known as ‘CODA’ and ‘NOVA Terraces’ – are located in Saratoga at Point Cook. More information on Wolfdene’s developments can be found here.
The Australian Institute of Architects Awards program offers an opportunity for public and peer recognition of the innovative work of architects in Victoria. The program also provides the Institute with a valuable mechanism to promote architects and architecture within Victoria, across Australia and internationally.
Further details on the Australian Institute of Architects Awards and a full list of winners can be found here.
