MGS Architects

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<p>Melbourne University and Australian Catholic University are expected to host two new buildings that will further enhance their respective academic capabilities. With both projects at planning assessment, either build is still some time from fruition.</p>

<p>In Carlton, The Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne is planning to expand their services provided by way of a new building accommodating 136 studio apartments. Gladstone Terraces which fronts University Square at 197-235 Bouverie Street will be retained as part of the development, and remain largely in tact.</p>

<p>Three floors to the rear of the site will host a new cafe, administration and membership/function spaces, with the remaining floors dedicated to residential apartments. The height of the project is 37.6 metres, with a gym, laundry and 33 car parks found within a five level basement.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image4_12.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="University Square perspective of the proposed building. Planning image: MGS"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="347" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image4_12.jpg?itok=ewxgkkFe" title="University Square perspective of the proposed building. Planning image: MGS" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>University Square perspective of the proposed building. Planning image: MGS</figcaption></figure><p>Purchasing the site during 1957, the Graduate Union have near on 60 years later chosen MGS Architects to lead the regeneration project. </p>

<p>Carrying a development cost of $20 million, The Graduate Union hopes that 197-235 Bouverie Street will in due course be able to better service the expanding accommodation needs for postgraduate, alumni and visiting academics. 197-235 Bouverie Street is unique in that it becomes the first project in recent years to service this very niche requirement.</p>

<p>In nearby Fitzroy, Australian Catholic University is pursuing a sizeable redevelopment of its St Patrick's campus. Located at 115 Victoria Parade and 28-42 Young Street, the project's centrepiece is a planned tower at 59.45 metres in height.</p>

<p>Lyons Architecture have been installed as design lead, with the enhanced Development Plan set to guide future planning permit applications onsite.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image1_6.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Lyons have created a new Victoria Parade showpiece. Planning image: ACU"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="262" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image1_6.jpg?itok=uVcqgFMv" title="Lyons have created a new Victoria Parade showpiece. Planning image: ACU" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Lyons have created a new Victoria Parade showpiece. Planning image: ACU</figcaption></figure><p>The tower's likely internal layout is set to include teaching and learning spaces, office accommodation and a student hub set above 7 levels of basement car parking. </p>

<p>Currently an at-grade car park, 115 Victoria Parade will arc over the existing campus building at 28-42 Young Street, providing it with three additional levels. It's expected that the new build will add approximately 25,000sqm of space to Australian Catholic University's campus.</p>

<p>Described as a landmark mixed-use development within associated planning documents, the tower is a key plank in Australian Catholic University's planned growth in student and teacher numbers, as well as increased research activities. By 2020 it's expected that 10,700 equivalent full-time students will be on campus.</p>
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silvermb

Two tertiary institutions line up new build projects

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<p>One of 2016's largest projects is set to continue the high density infill between Yarra's Edge and the emerging Fishermans Bend Precinct.</p>

<p>Created by MGS Architects, the dual residential tower scheme's most striking feature is its multi-colured facade which is designed as a contemporary interpretation of the nearby shipping yards. Located at 13-33 Hartley Street on the perimeter of Docklands, the site is hard up against the West Gate Freeway and adjacent to the recently sold development site at <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/85-93-lorimer-street-docklands">85-93 Lorimer Street</a>.</p>

<p>13-33 Hartley Street will also enjoy frontage to the park which forms part of the permit approved 85-93 Lorimer Street, which was designed by Elenberg Fraser.</p>

<p>Kew-based entity Claric Ninety Nine Pty Ltd is the proponent behind the Hartley Street development.</p>

<h2>13-33 Hartley Street Docklands application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image21_8.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="As rendered from Yarra's Edge. Image: MGS Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="319" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image21_8.jpg?itok=bLZCMO4G" title="As rendered from Yarra's Edge. Image: MGS Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>As rendered from Yarra's Edge. Image: MGS Architects</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 6,713sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed 37 and 40 level residential towers with the taller at 131.3 metres</li>
	<li>612 apartments: 202 x 1BR, 370 x 2BR, 26 x 3BR, 14 x 4BR</li>
	<li>3 retail tenancies totaling 255sqm and 700sqm of 'community' space</li>
	<li>Provision for 424 vehicles, 370 resident bicycles, 71 visitor bicycle spaces and 58 motorcycle spaces</li>
	<li>1,507sqm of communal facilities, including a lap pool, gym, yoga/kids play area, meeting room, cinema room, lounge areas and library</li>
	<li>Plot ratio: 12.29:1</li>
	<li>Gross Floor Area: 82,568sqm</li>
	<li>Estimated cost of development: $200 million</li>
</ul>
<h2>Acknowledging one's surrounds</h2>

<blockquote>
<p>The Port of Melbourne is Australia’s largest container terminal and has a very significant impact on the local landscape. Viewed from above neatly arranged rows of colourful containers from all parts of the world animate an otherwise dull industrial port.</p>

<p>It is this colour and texture that the building design references in the balcony balustrade treatment of the apartments at the upper and lower floors. Larger apartments are located at these floors where balconies are cantilevered in patterns and varied in colour to evoke the Port’s container landscape</p>

<p>The great Australian painter Jeffrey Smart was known for his stylised depictions of urban landscapes. He had a particular fascination with roads and road signs which he rendered with a stark reality and precision.</p>

<p>We have treated the car parking podium of the building as a canvas for an over scaled road sign. In this case the sign however is not read as a flat painted surface but as a series of projecting screens that morph into view on approach. The signage is directional and changes in accordance with the location of the observer.</p>
<cite>Urban context report, MGS Architects</cite>
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image47_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="A nod to Jeffrey Smart. Planning image: MGS Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="294" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image47_3.jpg?itok=qs0DcvXo" title="A nod to Jeffrey Smart. Planning image: MGS Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>A nod to Jeffrey Smart. Planning image: MGS Architects</figcaption></figure><h2>Ins and Outs</h2>

<p>Single bedroom dwellings range in size between 48-59sqm, with dual bedroom apartments spread over 67-125sqm. While three bedrooms range between 120-167sqm, MGS Architects have included 14 four bedroom apartments; somewhat of an oddity when considering the wider Melbourne apartment landscape.</p>

<p>These four bedroom apartments have an area of some 200sqm.</p>

<p>Every apartment is provided with a balcony that is located directly off the living area, with south facing dwellings afforded winter gardens that span the full width of the dwelling. It is worth noting that according to the submitted documents, 'Saddle Back’ bedrooms occurs in 2 of 12 apartments per typical floor on the west tower and in 2 of 9 apartments per typical floor on the east tower.</p>

<p>'Saddle Back’ apartments are a point of contention in the current Melbourne planning climate owing to the lack of direct access to natural light.</p>

<p>As part of the intended development, 912sqm of the site area will be seeded to infrastructure needs, with open space accounting for another 1,826sqm.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image48_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Setbacks and ground level interface. Planning image: MGS Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="209" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image48_5.jpg?itok=mf8QXFgm" title="Setbacks and ground level interface. Planning image: MGS Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Setbacks and ground level interface. Planning image: MGS Architects</figcaption></figure><p>When combining 13-33 Hartley Street's 612 apartments with those of 85-93 Lorimer Street and Mirvac's upcoming <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/voyager-103-south-wharf-drive-docklands">Voyager Tower</a>, there exists the potential for a further 1,868 apartments to be pumped into the sliver of Docklands land south of the Yarra River.</p>

<p>Potential future development sites that fall within this section of Docklands will be largely confined to a tract of land west of Hartley Street; beyond that adjoining areas fall under Fishermans Bend and its differing planning controls.</p>

<h2>13-33 Hartley Street Docklands development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Claric Ninety-Nine Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Architect and Urban Context Analysis: MGA Architects</li>
	<li>Town Planning: Roberts Day</li>
	<li>Buffer Constraint Assessment: GHD</li>
	<li>Traffic and Transport Assessment: Cardno</li>
	<li>Acoustic Report,: Renzo Tonin &amp; Associates</li>
	<li>Wind Report: Cermak, Peterka, Petersen</li>
	<li>Social and Community Infrastructure Assessment: ASR Research</li>
	<li>Waste Management Plan: Leigh Design</li>
	<li>Environmentally Sustainable Design: IrwinConsult.</li>
</ul>
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MGS create the shipping container skyscrapers

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<p>St Vincent de Paul Society's VincentCare has proposed a major inner city development that will go some way to meeting the needs of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/melbourne-vic">inner city Melbourne's</a> most disadvantaged individuals.</p>

<p>The care provider has proposed a large-scale redevelopment of <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/179-191-flemington-road-north-melbourne">179-191 Flemington Road</a>, located opposite Melbourne's hospitals precinct. Under the plan, VincentCare's rebuilt facility would lead to expanded crisis accommodation capacity and a relocation of its Community Centre to the Flemington Road portion of the development.</p>

<p>According to Tract Consultants, the co-located accommodation and service platform will be a Victorian first.</p>

<h2>179-191 Flemington Road North Melbourne application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image53_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Chapman Street perspective of the new development. Planning image: MGS Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image53_1.jpg?itok=MWBkL8on" title="Chapman Street perspective of the new development. Planning image: MGS Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Chapman Street perspective of the new development. Planning image: MGS Architects</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Application lodged June 2016</li>
	<li>Existing use: Ozanam House &amp; Bailly House over 2-3 levels</li>
	<li>Proposed: 11 level Homeless Resource Centre and Accommodation at 38.53 metres</li>
	<li>134 dwellings: 60 x 1BR short stay, 48 x 1BR medium stay and 26 x 1BR long stay apartments</li>
	<li>45 staff to service the Homeless Resource Centre and Accommodation building</li>
	<li>22 car parking spaces within a basement level</li>
	<li>Proposed: 20 townhouses to Chapman Street</li>
	<li>14 x 2BR and 6 x 3BR townhouses with 40 car spaces</li>
	<li>Expected project cost: $49.5 million</li>
</ul>
<p>Tract Consultants and <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/mgs-architects">MGS Architects</a> form the spearhead of the development team, and have sought feedback from a number of parties including the City of Melbourne and the Department of Health and Human Services.</p>

<p>The feedback has influenced the design of the intended development which has been labelled a project of State significance. According to the town planning report, City of Melbourne are "highly supportive of the development concept and the sophisticated proposition for an exciting typology / programme."</p>

<p>In light of the recent kerfuffle surrounding approved built form and flight paths being hindered, Air Ambulance expect no impact on the helicopter flight paths into or out of the Royal Children's Hospital.</p>

<h2>Design basis</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image54_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="MGS Architects' previous award-winning projects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="210" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image54_4.jpg?itok=R1PIPl3x" title="MGS Architects' previous award-winning projects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>MGS Architects' previous award-winning projects</figcaption></figure><p>Whilst the associated Urban Design Report goes into great detail about the various national and international projects which informed the design, certain MGS Architects traits are apparent within 179-191 Flemington Road's design.</p>

<p>Seen above are existing award-winning MGS Architects designs for Chapel Street Community Housing and the CBD's Drill Hall Community Hub and Housing projects. The use of varied colours (particularly green) and brick is apparent across all three designs, with the possible intent of breaking up the built form of each project.</p>

<p>Regardless, 179-191 Flemington Road's expected finishes include red and grey brick, precast panels, glazing, green and grey metal screens and timber cladding.</p>

<h2>Covering the needs of the vulnerable</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image55_5.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="660 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Image: Montlaur"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image55_5.jpg?itok=zuVCeySp" title="660 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Image: Montlaur" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>660 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Image: Montlaur</figcaption></figure><p><a href="http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/ourhousingstories/history-of-public-housing">The history of Melbourne's evolving public housing</a> needs took a leap forward during 2010 with the completion of Common Ground at 660 Elizabeth Street. Victoria’s first supportive housing development included 131 affordable apartments in addition to " coordinated support for people who had experienced long-term homelessness or who were at risk of homelessness."</p>

<p>Purposely built for Melbourne's homeless, Common Ground was a partnership project between Yarra Community Housing, Home Ground and the Department of Human Services.</p>

<p>Whilst 179-191 Flemington Road is expected to be delivered under the guidance of VincentCare, it represents the next step in the process of catering toward the needs of Melbourne's most vulnerable.</p>

<h2>179-191 Flemington Road North Melbourne development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: VincentCare </li>
	<li>Architect: MGS Architects</li>
	<li>Town Planner: Tract Consultants</li>
	<li>Heritage Consultant: Lovell Chen</li>
	<li>Traffic Engineer: Cardno  </li>
	<li>Waste Consultant: SALT</li>
	<li>Sustainability Consultant: Irwin</li>
	<li>Landscape Architect: Outlines </li>
</ul>
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VincentCare's Flemington Road project a boost for homeless housing

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<p>As South Yarra's Forrest Hill Precinct churns out apartment towers seemingly at will, developers have of late continued to push the limits of their projects in the pursuit of increased returns. While a string of taller towers at either planning or approval have lined up along Chapel Street, 16-22 Claremont Street is the most recent proposal that would have a marked presence in the South Yarra skyline.</p>

<p>Proponents K&amp;E Rogers Pty Ltd have sought to usurp a current planning permit set to expire during October 2016 with a recently submitted residential scheme. At 13 levels and 51 metres the permitted office design is well short of the asked for tower which would have 31 levels and measure 98.5 metres.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/claremont.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Artist's impression of 16-22 Claremont Street above all others"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="784" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/claremont.jpg?itok=38b5nuEa" title="Artist's impression of 16-22 Claremont Street above all others" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Artist's impression of 16-22 Claremont Street above all others</figcaption></figure><p>First seen on Skyscrapercity, early images of the proposal see a predominantly blue edifice with twin 20 level angular 'wings' jutting out from the oval-shaped tower. With a nominal value of $140 million, 16-22 Claremont Street which is believed to be a MGS Architects design encompasses 399 apartments and stands considerably taller than any surrounding buildings.</p>

<p>16-22 Claremont Street is a large rectangular plot located centrally within the Forrest Hill Precinct. Split between a low-rise commercial building and at-grade car park, the proposal is neighboured by existing residential buildings which include Lilli Apartments, Prime Tower, Ella, SXY2 and 50 Claremont Street, all of which range between 15-20 levels.</p>

<h2>Not before time</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image33_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Frontages to Daly and Claremont"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="347" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image33_1.jpg?itok=S4aYZ_wk" title="Frontages to Daly and Claremont" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Frontages to Daly and Claremont</figcaption></figure><p>Readers with knowledge of the area will recognise the dearth of anything remotely organic along Claremont Street.</p>

<p>The proposed 16-22 Claremont Street will do its part to address this by introducing a trellised feature to both Claremont Street and Daly Street. Finished with greenery, the articulate and inviting podium feature is in contrast to its surrounds while also providing an enhanced thoroughfare which acts as an extension of 'Yarra Lane' directly opposite.</p>

<p>The proposed 16-22 Claremont Street thoroughfare completes the activated mid-block link between South Yarra Station and Chapel Street, the only issue being the lack of an actual northern entry point at the station; a topic which has been pondered for some time.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image32_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The plaza connecting Claremont and Daly"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="365" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image32_0.jpg?itok=yx0GlkRf" title="The plaza connecting Claremont and Daly" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The plaza connecting Claremont and Daly</figcaption></figure><h2>Claremont on a high</h2>

<p>Claremont Street itself is a hive of development activity as site after site finds new use as a high-rise residential development. Claremont Manor's jump form is above ground as Hickory Group undertake its construction while Buildcorp Commercial have all but completed Alto South Yarra directly opposite.</p>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image29_1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The Claremont Street line-up"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="218" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image29_1.jpg?itok=PnEif9Eg" title="The Claremont Street line-up" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The Claremont Street line-up</figcaption></figure><p>Further north along Claremont Street and Little Projects recently released <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/38-40-claremont-street-south-yarra">The Elfin</a> for public sales while <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/projects/55-claremont-street-south-yarra">55 Claremont Street</a> is due for a planning decision. The latest of Michael L Yates &amp; Co's many South Yarra projects, 55 Claremont Street would include 39 dwellings over 16 levels and present as one of the area's smaller developments by apartment numbers.</p>

<p>Also at planning is 42-48 Claremont Street, South Yarra on behalf of Claremont Co Pty Ltd. With a nominal development value of $40 million, another substantial residential developments looks to be in the offing.</p>
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