First look: Approval secured for new fossil fuel-free Fitzroy apartment development
Fitzroy North's apartment scene is set to be bolstered by a striking, fossil fuel-free new development.
Plans submitted by Second Nature Developments for a part two-storey, part six-storey mixed-use development with 21 dwellings and three retail tenancies on St Georges Road have been approved.
The building will sit across 197-201 and 203-205 St Georges Road, creating a 989 sqm block near Edinburgh Gardens.
Austin Maynard Architects are behind the designs for the new project which will have 17 apartments two and three-bedroom apartments and four double-storey townhouses to the western side of the building.
In their submission to the City of Yarra Council, Austin Maynard Architects said the design response for the subject site takes cues from the surrounding context with reference to building height, setbacks, articulation of form and amenity.
"The height of the proposal is justifiable in the precinct when considering the significant building heights not only present in the existing build form, but more recently permitted in the approval of the Piedemontes supermarket redevelopment," Austin Maynard said.
"Significant setbacks and upper-level articulation, the reduced bulk of the proposal also assists in reducing the perception of overall height of the building."
They said, as a fundamental component of good design, sustainability is at the core of this proposed development.
"Passive solar gain is maximised where possible and light courts are located to allow for access to ample natural light and ventilation. This is a fossilfuel free building, with electrically run heatpump hot water. Solar PV panels on the roof will supplement the energy usage, and water collection/ re-use is maximised."
Town planner Ratio said the building proposes a flat roof form and will be of a contemporary design, comprising a suitable range of building materials including powdercoated metal, red brick and brickwork of muted tones, hit-and-miss brickwork and clear glazing.
"This material palette is derived from that of the surrounding streetscape which features predominantly heritage commercial buildings of masonry construction."
When submitting the plans for the development in October last year, Ratio noted similar and higher density projects approved in the local area recently, specifically the VCAT approval nearby for 66 dwellings at 25-45 Best Street and 102-114 Scotchmer Street.
The design by Jackson Clement Burrows Architect for a seven-storey, mixed-use development also includes the retention of the existing Piedimonte’s supermarket, ancillary office space, a new bottleshop and a café.