Forever Homes – Preston Townhouses by Archier and MAB
Complementary additions to the built environment of Preston, the townhouses at Preston Crossing are both innovative and timeless. The collaboration between leading award-winning design studio Archier and Melbourne property developer MAB sees decades of experience applied to the creation of sustainable ‘forever homes’.
Located in Melbourne’s inner north, the Preston Townhouses are embedded in the urban context of Preston Crossing, a sustainable new village that embraces the rich local culture of the suburb. The iconic Preston Market, a short walk from Preston Crossing, is defined by the family-run businesses that have contributed to the community for generations. Bordering the village to the south is the Preston Tram Depot, whilst charming cottages lie adjacent to the north. There is also the nearby Bell train station and skyrail, which transforms the former rail corridor with broad strips of parkland and wetland. Residents of Preston Crossing treasure its parks, lively culinary scene and transport links that offer swift access to the city.
Honouring the local communities in which MAB works, the developer chooses to only combine efforts with architects whose practice is civic-minded and who see sustainability as the means to providing residents with a sense of safety and permanence. The Preston Townhouses form an integral part of an overall masterplan that also includes apartments and townhouses by Hayball – a design practice prioritising the unique character of each project – and Nightingale Apartments by Breathe, whose design strategy is to “build more with less”. Together, these neighbouring MAB developments form the story of a reassuring and inspiring future for Preston.
With the Preston Townhouses set to achieve impeccable ratings for sustainability from esteemed sources, it is clear that Archier cares about affordable homes that are built for a lifetime of living. MAB and Archier are committed to delivering each townhouse to a 5 Star Green Star standard, a certification that will be provided by Australia’s leading Green Star authority, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), on completion. In addition, each home will carry a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating.
To the benefit of the home, Archier has included rooftop solar panels, double glazing, passive solar design, LED lighting and climate control systems in their townhouses. Each house can operate fossil-free, as a result of a green power electricity plan working in tandem with all-electric appliances, such as induction cooktops and electric heat pump water systems. Capturing rainwater from the roof, the townhouses are less reliant on mains water whilst its taps, toilets and dishwasher are of a minimum five-star rating, following the national Water Efficiency Labelling and Standard (WELS) scheme. Clever landscape drip irrigation with a moisture sensor override also conserves water. As a people-driven project, the Preston Crossing development involves a minimum 80% local procurement and materials for its construction, engaging with Australian manufacturing, and MAB ensures that a minimum of 10% of the total labour construction hours on the project is performed by apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets.
Attesting to Archier’s renowned “outside-in” approach to design, the townhouses are carefully crafted to suit the cultural and geographical climate. The relaxed and sociable atmosphere of Preston is embraced by features at the front of each house such as a stoop, low fences around a north-facing garden, and a decking that extends the ground floor living area outdoors. Large double-glazed windows to the front of the property are essential in establishing a sense of light and space, promoting a good quality of life. By also connecting residents to the landscape, the windows speak to the expertise of the Archier team, of which a landscape architect is a director. Internally, a balance of shared spaces and private nooks shows awareness of the different social dynamics that take place in typical family life.
The Preston Townhouses maintain a classic, enduring quality that distances the homes from the fickle world of design fads. Archier purposefully employs brick and timber for the façade, seeking durability and sustained beauty through time. Similarly robust materials feature inside the homes, including timber for the floors, engineered stone and resilient cabinet finishes. Archier uses low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, carpets, adhesives and sealants, as well as low-formaldehyde engineered timber products to contribute towards a pollutant free interior. Throughout the townhouses, Archier and MAB show dedication to material honesty, expressed through the materials’ source, strength, environmental credentials and manufacturing process.
By championing sustainability, Archier and MAB create homes that will stand the test of time. Each townhouse is moulded to the shape of the community and offers the residents of Preston Crossing the perfect place to continue building their lives.
