Reaffirming Accessibility – 38 Albermarle Street by Fieldwork

Socioeconomic demands naturally influence design trends, which becomes clear in Fieldwork’s approach to multi-residential housing at 38 Albermarle Street. Representing a shift towards fairer, more accessible and liveable housing options, the project is a thoughtfully designed, community-centric and sustainable dwelling in Melbourne’s inner north-west that seeks to offer hope for the future of housing in Australia.

Fieldwork eloquently brings Assemble’s ‘built-to-rent-to-own’ (BTRTO) housing model to life with Australia’s first medium-density exemplar. The 73-apartment project with one, two and three-bedroom units is grounded in a distinctive concept whereby residents may rent new apartments for up to five years with the option to purchase the property for a fixed price.

 The 73-apartment project with one, two and three-bedroom units is grounded in a distinctive concept whereby residents may rent new apartments for up to five years with the option to purchase the property for a fixed price.

The new residential direction of the building is sensitive to the history of the site. The exterior façade offers a striking juxtaposition, with the redbrick from the original heritage building offset against geometrical precast concrete ribs and a series of perforated and corrugated aluminium panels. Moreover, Fieldwork references the spatial philosophy of the 1950s, 60sand 70s walk-up apartments that define many of Melbourne’s inner suburbs, with many spaces serving as informal extensions to the living areas.

In this sense, innovative design reflects an intelligent approach to multi-residential living that challenges notions of apartment living as limited and isolating. Though split into two individual towers, the design encourages connection through an external breezeway between them. A semi-circular void then connects each level, with each apartment linked to the breezeway by a bridged verandah. There is a lending library, a dedicated dog-washing bay and a communal workshop on the ground floor. The social element of 38 Albermarle Street is also heightened through neighbouring hospitality venue Cassette, which continues to foster a sense of community.

38 Albermarle Street is defined by robust materiality and, thus, an inherent liveability.

38 Albermarle Street is defined by robust materiality and, thus, an inherent liveability. All apartments feature non-glazed fixed panels to allow for the installation of pet doors to balconies, while Marmoleum floors in the communal spaces offer a durable, low-maintenance finish. And, on the top floor, a communal room with views over the city houses a kitchen, bathroom and outdoor barbecue, once again extending living spaces beyond individual apartments. Liveability also derives from its sustainable focus, a passive design ensuring building performance and comfort remain paramount.

With a tangible sense of community and accessible, meaningful living, 38 Albermarle Street reinterprets the perceived constraints of medium-density housing. Connecting residents to one another and the surrounding urban landscape, 38 Albermarle Street offers an alternative avenue to owning a home, with innovation and opportunity embedded in its very design.