Edition Office has created an apartment building in one of Melbourne's historic working-class districts that draws from the language and materiality of its surroundings.

The project is located in Fitzroy in Melbourne, where the composition of the façade and the rhythm of party walls line the streetscape to create a strong connection with the neighbouring context.

From the street, the building appears as a series of singular, concrete shells simply and unashamedly stacked. Each apartment is a vessel that offers a generous sense of enclosure and protection.

Junctions are celebrated, reimagining original iron lacework on eaves and fences as galvanised balustrades and soffit embellishments, while party wall curves and reliefs are reflected as smooth fillets to perimeter masonry walls.

Abundant daylight, natural cross ventilation and views were fundamental to the living space. All apartments open onto a central atrium, providing opportunities natural daylight from two ends and ensuring excellent cross flow ventilation to every dwelling.

This project has been longlisted in the housing project category of Dezeen Awards 2022.

Architect: Edition Office for Milieu

Project: Napier

Read more: Edition Office