We’re thrilled to share that 38 Albermarle Street has won an Architecture Award in the Residential Architecture (Multiple Housing Category) at the 2023 Victorian Architecture Awards. With over 130 projects shortlisted across various categories, these annual awards celebrate architectural excellence across Victoria’s built environment – from commercial buildings to public infrastructure, through to multi-residential and individual housing projects.
38 Albermarle Street typifies our housing ambitions – Homes for Change – through the delivery of 73 homes across seven storeys that aim to facilitate healthier, socially connected and financially sustainable lives. Designed by Fieldwork and completed in July 2022, our pilot Assemble Futures project achieves important environmental performance standards as a gas-free, operationally carbon neutral building, and was thoughtfully conceived to foster a more resilient and well-connected resident community.
From communal spaces to chance encounters on the internal breezeways, to downstairs cafe Cassette designed by Six Degrees that bring residents together with the wider neighbourhood, 38 Albermarle Street invites connection for residents and their community through design.
“In Australia’s first build-to-rent-to-own development, 38 Albermarle Street demonstrates a robust and clever response to resilient community living.”
Jurors from the Victorian Chapter of the Institute of Architects.
Coming up to a year since move-in, residents not only share in the community together but also in the opportunity to own their homes if they wish, as part of the supported pathway that Assemble Future provides. 38 Albermarle Street stands as the first in a series of these communities with 15 Thompson Street, Kensington and 4 Ballarat Street, Brunswick both currently under construction – designed by Hayball and Fieldwork respectively.
Congratulations to Fieldwork on this tremendous honour and for sharing in our commitment to deliver high-quality, inner-city homes that are accessible to more Australians. We wish to extend our gratitude to all the collaborators, consultants and the residents of 38 Albermarle Street who contributed to the quality and success of our first ever Assemble Futures community.
Full jury citation on 38 Albermarle Street
“In Australia’s first build-to-rent-to-own development, 38 Albermarle Street demonstrates a robust and clever response to resilient community living. Positioned above an industrial heritage wool store, the deep-set balconies with light-toned precast concrete serve as a recessive backdrop to the intricate detail of the heritage facade below. At ground level, residents share an expansive communal space including a multipurpose workshop, loan library and a zero-waste hospitality venue that creates an intermediary between the residents and the broader community.
Dividing the two volumes above, an external circulation breezeway of open mesh and voids layer light, space, and landscape. This communal spine provides a scaffold for residents to curate an extension of their private living spaces and offers incidental moments of interaction.
Apartments feature dual aspect and cross-ventilation with an unconventional approach to privacy that provides transparency to kitchen and living areas, creating a visually connected and shared living experience. Customised bathroom and storage configurations accommodate specific family living arrangements for a diverse cohort of residents. Shared facilities accommodate pets, kids and social activities with a rooftop multipurpose room and bookable space for private and community-building events. A robust palette of materials throughout provides the building with a sense of durability in this financially sustainable project.”
Our team would like to extend our gratitude to the Victorian Chapter of the Institute of Architects and the jurors for their consideration and recognition of 38 Albemarle Street with this award.
Image by Tom Ross