Markham Avenue

Pioneering the contemporary social housing space, Markham Avenue speaks to the significance of exemplary architecture in transforming affordable living. In 2022, there were over 174,000 households on Australia’s social housing waitlist, with almost 68,000 based in Victoria. 

The renovation of old public housing units on Markham Avenue now spans 178 homes across five buildings situated around a vibrant community garden, just off Melbourne’s city centre. The government-initiated project is one of the first to partake in the Big Housing Build program; the state’s $5.3 billion commitment to creating equitable and affordable housing. A collaboration between Homes Victoria, Ontoit, Built and Mala, the global design studio Architectus employed socially and environmentally sustainable design to generate a high quality environment in tandem with its surrounding landscape. 

Situated on prime location with connection to the nearby reserve and creek, the community garden acts as an extension of the natural environment. Nestled within its generous context, the exteriors invite residents and visitors to explore the entire landscape, with thoughtful spatial planning defined by access points to the buildings themselves. 

Architectus played with the notion of density in harmony, rejecting the potential for a cramped, invasive atmosphere with ample setbacks and balanced vertical structures, each building consisting of three or four levels. The five structures are each outward and inward facing to connect to the wider community while continuing to generate a social environment amongst residents. 

Further complementing and sustaining the surrounding landscape are the resilient yet elegant natural bricks that embrace each building. Simultaneously, they preserve the affordability of the homes while ensuring their endurance over time. Presented in four variations of colour (Bowral Blue, Chillingham White, Brahman Granite and Bowral Brown), the neutral undertones of the materiality enrich the site’s relationship with the natural environment. 

“Our interpretation is an amalgamation of both building forms and we opted for brick façades in natural shades to help the apartment buildings engage with the neighbourhood,” describes Oliver Mayger, Architectus National Living Sector Leader and Project Principal. 

“The brickwork consists of clean lines and a combination of traditional, soldier and projected brick coursing for a finer grain feel, texture and depth.” Simultaneously, they preserve the affordability of the homes while ensuring their endurance over time. Presented in four variations (Bowral Blue, Chillingham White, Brahman Granite and Bowral Brown), the neutral undertones of the materiality enrich the site’s relationship with the natural environment. 

Additionally, the residential palette of bricks, concrete and steel offers a blank canvas for residents to personalise their homes without obtrusive architectural detailing. “We selected three distinct brick colours representing the transition from the darker grey tones to Markham Avenue, red tones within the site referencing the red gums, and the lighter tones to the creek. These were complemented with the interior colour palette and building naming which further reference the natural colours found on site and the retained indigenous tree species,” says Oliver. 

Inside is an inclusive reimagining of high-density living. Expansive windows and balconies directly connect residents with the outdoors, along with sunlight-flooded transitory spaces. Maximum storage space throughout kitchens and bathrooms leaves room for residents to grow, in tenure blind units that foster equality. “The development is master planned to be ‘tenure blind’, meaning buildings are arranged and designed to be indistinguishable from each other to promote a more integrated and equitable community,” Oliver explains.  

Sustainable design continues through to the initial preservation of older trees that tower across the site, prioritising the maintenance of a biodiverse landscape. Every element of the design considers longevity and environmental protection, evident throughout its architectural choices. “With the site bordering an established community garden, reserve and a nearby creek, the landscape-led residential community has been planned to carefully balance development and biodiversity protection,” says Oliver. “For example, our scheme allocated 40 percent of the site area to open green space for communal amenity including outdoor landscape courtyards.”

Markham Avenue is a vibrant space that provides a path to modern, safe and comfortable living for those that need it most. Reinventing prospects of social housing, the project acts as inspiration for future affordable architecture. 

“We selected three distinct brick colours representing the transition from the darker grey tones to Markham Avenue, red tones within the site referencing the red gums, and the lighter tones to the creek.”

“We selected three distinct brick colours representing the transition from the darker grey tones to Markham Avenue, red tones within the site referencing the red gums, and the lighter tones to the creek.”