Napier Street by Edition Office for Milieu

Working within the envelope of a constrained site, Napier Street is bordered to the north and south by single storey factories, that will soon be realised as similar forms to their neighbouring developments. Edition Office identified one of the most important offerings they could make to these inner urban dwellings in this context was light and air and the design has future proofed the project with the decision to open up the heart of the building to the elements, via an internal atrium; an obvious solution to maximise natural light and cross flow ventilation to each of the eleven homes.

Reflecting Milieu’s dedication to enhancing neighbourhoods through design and Edition Office’s commitment to ambitious architecture, 231 Napier Street has been designed with a clear and conscious language that speaks to the rhythm of the street with consideration for its surrounding buildings, marrying contemporary ideals with the history of site. The project seeks to give back to its context by absorbing historic architectural detailing and reflecting a contemporary interpretation of craft and language, so it remains true to its own and to the time it was designed. The result is eleven exclusive apartments encouraging a socio-economic mix across the 6 levels.

The brief focussed on translating down-sizer desires for high amenity and spacious suburban lifestyles within a robust and simply presented apartment building within the heart of Fitzroy. The architecture seeks to give back to its surrounding context by absorbing historic architectural detailing and reflecting a contemporary interpretation of craft and language. Internally, honest detailing and simple, bold material selections backdrop the resident's experience. Thoughtfully designed and finely finessed interior spaces offer ample opportunities for allowing direct natural lighting and cross ventilation within the apartment, supporting a familiar sense of an expansive and quiet suburban home resonating with the end user.

Napier Street seeks to give back to its context by absorbing historic architectural detailing and reflecting a contemporary interpretation of craft and language. Original wrought iron lacework on eaves and fences of the workers cottages become galvanised balustrades and soffit embellishments at Napier Street. The elaborate and finely crafted nature of soffits and balustrades provides visual interest and an appreciation of craft and architectural detailing on the most visually prominent surface at ground level. Rolled concrete soffit edges and rolled party wall corners are reflected as smooth fillets to help soften the materiality and mass of the project, allowing more light to filter into balconies and interiors. A generous internal void provides a beguiling view of the sky at the end of a long 3.7m high entry hallway. This same void provides natural light and amenity to common areas at the projects heart while the materiality imbues a sense of muted calm within a busy urban context. Each apartment spins off this central common area, opening entirely to the street elevation. Full width glazing opening out to generous balconies extends the internal living spaces beyond the site boundary, taking in the colours, materials and views of the site’s context.