Bower Architecture & Interiors

Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1

Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1

Bower Architecture

Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
© Shannon McGrath

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Mordue Engineering

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Wood & Grieve Engineers

MECH ELEC ENGINEER
Wood & Grieve Engineers

BUILDER
Buildcorp Commercial

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Anna Dutton

DESIGN TEAM
Anna Dutton, Jade Vidal, Chema Bould, Ben Shields, Rose Heeley

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Land Design Partnership

PHOTOGRAPHS
Shannon Mcgrath

AREA
5608 m²

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Australia

CATEGORY
Apartments

Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
© Shannon McGrath

Text description provided by architect.

Peppercorn Apartments is a new multi residential mixed use development in suburban Melbourne that balances the tension between new commercial hub, an emerging residential landscape and neighbouring parklands.

The development consists of 52 apartments and a café within two three-level buildings. The brief was for a cost-effective high amenity development on a long narrow site in University Hill.

Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
© Shannon McGrath
Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
© Shannon McGrath

The site is bordered by Princeton Park to the North providing good amenity and outlook , and a new commercial/retail zone to the south.

The concept maximises northern light and park outlook to apartments by utilising a single row of dwellings with linear through style plans that place park facing living spaces to the north and private bedrooms to the cooler south.

Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
© Shannon McGrath
Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
© Shannon McGrath

Most apartment access is via intimate walk up entries to the southern façade, strengthening the connection between the apartments and the new mews streetscape. 

Additional access is via traditional lobby style entries at the termination of each building.

The buildings bear two different characters that respond to the park and the street scape respectively. The modest budget required finishes to be carefully considered, with selected areas of richness and texture inserted effectively. 

Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
© Shannon McGrath
Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
© Shannon McGrath
Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
Ground Floor Plan

The streetscape elevation is composed of charcoal concrete block offset by Blackbutt timber at the walk up entries.

Embracing the rhythms of multiple housing rather than working against it, the park side is composed of striking black blades, offset by a horizontal line of textured precast concrete panels and softened with rich shiplap timber.

Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
First Floor Plan
Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
Second Floor Plan

The concept also maximises passive cross ventilation and the simple skillion roof structure allows for straightforward collection of rain water.

The proposal achieves a minimum six star energy rating and has been designed to provide a safe, durable and functional community for future residents.

Peppercorn Apartments Stage 1
Section

Bower Architecture & Interiors
T +61 3 93441384
Bower Architecture & Interiors
8 Prince Patrick St, Richmond VIC 3121, Australia