Balance and Restraint – Plant Street by Ritz&Ghougassian
After establishing a significant presence in Melbourne’s inner north, developer Milieu has partnered with Penfold to venture into the south-east. Comprising 21 generous apartments, Plant Street has been carefully considered in all regards, from the architecture by Ritz&Ghougassian to the interior design by Georgina Jeffries and landscaping by Acre.
The architecture is an exercise in balance and restraint. Solid, textural forms coupled with a monochromatic palette help to mark the building’s individual presence within its leafy suburban context. Inside, a focused use of tactile materials helps to make each individual home feel refined yet relaxed. Comfort and aesthetics are given equal consideration, with the homes intended to be sanctuaries that invite residents to make their own mark in their spaces.
Sitting tall with its almost brutalist exterior, Plant Street is softened by lush greenery. This interplay between the built and natural elements becomes a recurring theme, seen in the planters and creepers on the upper-level terraces and also in the building’s open-air atrium. As the natural elements come to gently envelop the building, they will gradually unite the different architectural elements and settle the form into place.
With a sense of fluid movement between inside and out and a unity of vision across all elements of the design, Plant Street will become a timeless addition to the neighbourhood.