The Alba Apartments: Complex development project with clever solutions
- Josh Dickerson
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 8
Category: Commercial | Type: Mixed Use | Location: Mont Albert
Located on the Golden Strip in Whitehorse, we created a striking buidling with apartment living over street level shops.
Our experience and depth of knowledge allowed us to work through the challenges facing the project, including contaminated soils, flooding, basement underpinning, accessibility compliance and parking reductions.
The Brief
Mixed-use living with a focus on maximising distant views
Design Elements
Lightwells
Long and narrow sites pose a design challenge for incorporating natural daylight to living and bedrooms. Our design cleverly incorporates lightwells with large glazed walls that provide expansive daylight to rooms, creating open feeling spaces.
Balcony Screening
Neighbouring residential areas, privacy was a key design element. Each of the balconies incorporates clever screening that blocks views into neighbouring yards, while maintaining distant views to the city.
Passive Design
Simple yet effective passive design principles are incorporated into the façade design with glazing heights and awning positions allowing for winter sunlight into living areas, while blocking harsh summer sunlight.
Low Maintenance
Materials and cladding systems were carefully designed to minimise maintenance for the building, with steel, stone & glazing not requiring refinishing.
Behind The Façade
Lightwells
Long and narrow sites pose a design challenge for incorporating natural daylight to living and bedrooms. Our design cleverly incorporates lightwells with large glazed walls that provide expansive daylight to rooms, creating open feeling spaces.
Balcony Screening
Neighbouring residential areas, privacy was a key design element. Each of the balconies incorporates clever screening that blocks views into neighbouring yards, while maintaining distant views to the city.
Passive Design
Simple yet effective passive design principles are incorporated into the façade design with glazing heights and awning positions allowing for winter sunlight into living areas, while blocking harsh summer sunlight.
Low Maintenance
Materials and cladding systems were carefully desiPlanning Permit & VCAT
Being one of the first medium-rise buildings in the area, involved negotiations with Council and neighbours progressed through VCAT before a Planning Permit was issued.
Flood Management
The site is subject to overland water flow in storm events which presented a challenge in designing a basement that would no flood. Incorporation of laneway bunding, detailed ramp design and building clearances ensured a safe and manageable building design.
Protection Works
Adjoining two existing buildings on each side boundary presented a construction management challenge to ensure the safety and integrity of neighbouring buildings. Our design incorporated underpinning and temporary works to ensure no impacts on neighbours during or after construction.
Disabled Access
Inherent in mixed-use developments is the requirements for compliance with NCC Access standards and Desing for Disabled Access (AS1428.1). The design addressed the sloping frontage and street integration allows for compliant wheelchair access, railing and all other requirements.
