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The Commons

Type
Completion
2014

Location
Brunswick, VIC

Builder
Kubic Constructions and Ficus Constructions

Collaborators
Small Giants Developments

Photographer
Tom Ross, Diana Snape, Rebecca Ramage, Michael Downes, Andrew Wuttke

The Commons is about sustainable urbanisation — a replicable triple bottom line development with apartments that are spacious, generous, simple, affordable, sustainable and that value add to the community. At its core, The Commons is about people, not architectural form, and what is most impressive is the way in which people use the building, the way they interact. It’s how they smile and talk to each other in the lift. It’s their generosity toward one another.

The sense of community and camaraderie that quickly developed in the building is incredible. The Commons is filled with great neighbours and good people, and we would like to think that the architecture has been the catalyst for this outcome. It has been a magnet for people of similar values to come together to build a community, and treat common areas like the rooftop garden with pride.

The design strategy for The Commons was to build more with less. To give space and height, light and air. To give people what they needed not what the marketing agents thought would sell. The Commons is made up of a series of small, but delightful architectural moments. And the whole, together, is so much more than the sum of its parts.

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which The Commons stands. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

Awards
Australian Interior Design Awards
2016
Award for Interior Design Impact
National Architecture Awards
2014
Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture — Multiple Housing
National Architecture Awards
2014
David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture
VIC Architecture Awards
2014
Allan & Beth Coldicutt Award Sustainable Architecture
VIC Architecture Awards
2014
Best Overend Award Residential Architecture: Multiple Housing
VIC Architecture Awards
2014
Melbourne Prize (Shortlisted)
Premier’s Design Awards
2014
Premiers Design Award Winner
Premier’s Design Awards
2014
Best In Category — Architectural Design
Houses Awards
2014
Sustainability Award
Houses Awards
2014
Apartment or Unit (Shortlisted)
IDEA Awards
2014
Sustainability
IDEA Awards
2014
Residential — Multi
BPN Sustainability Awards
2014
Best of the Best
BPN Sustainability Awards
2014
Multi Density Residential
Australian Timber Design Awards
2014
Timber Cladding
Intergrain Timber Vision Award
2014
Commercial Exterior

The Commons

The Commons is about sustainable urbanisation — a replicable triple bottom line development with apartments that are spacious, generous, simple, affordable, sustainable and that value add to the community. At its core, The Commons is about people, not architectural form, and what is most impressive is the way in which people use the building, the way they interact. It’s how they smile and talk to each other in the lift. It’s their generosity toward one another.

The sense of community and camaraderie that quickly developed in the building is incredible. The Commons is filled with great neighbours and good people, and we would like to think that the architecture has been the catalyst for this outcome. It has been a magnet for people of similar values to come together to build a community, and treat common areas like the rooftop garden with pride.

The design strategy for The Commons was to build more with less. To give space and height, light and air. To give people what they needed not what the marketing agents thought would sell. The Commons is made up of a series of small, but delightful architectural moments. And the whole, together, is so much more than the sum of its parts.

An image of a spiral-bound document
Type
Multi-Residential
Completion
2014

Location
Brunswick, VIC

Builder
Kubic Constructions and Ficus Constructions

Collaborators
Small Giants Developments

Photographer
Tom Ross, Diana Snape, Rebecca Ramage, Michael Downes, Andrew Wuttke

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which The Commons stands. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

Awards
Intergrain Timber Vision Award
2014
Commercial Exterior
Australian Timber Design Awards
2014
Timber Cladding
BPN Sustainability Awards
2014
Multi Density Residential
BPN Sustainability Awards
2014
Best of the Best
Australian Interior Design Awards
2016
Award for Interior Design Impact
IDEA Awards
2014
Residential — Multi
IDEA Awards
2014
Sustainability
Houses Awards
2014
Apartment or Unit (Shortlisted)
Houses Awards
2014
Sustainability Award
Premier’s Design Awards
2014
Best In Category — Architectural Design
Premier’s Design Awards
2014
Premiers Design Award Winner
VIC Architecture Awards
2014
Melbourne Prize (Shortlisted)
VIC Architecture Awards
2014
Best Overend Award Residential Architecture: Multiple Housing
VIC Architecture Awards
2014
Allan & Beth Coldicutt Award Sustainable Architecture
National Architecture Awards
2014
David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture
National Architecture Awards
2014
Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture — Multiple Housing