Approval has been granted for the initial phase of a social housing development comprising 104 dwellings on an existing public housing site situated in the outer northeast of Melbourne.

Homes Victoria has officially announced the green light for the first stage of the Bell-Bardia development in Heidelberg West, Melbourne. This transformative project will revamp the existing public housing site at 322–328 Bell Street, introducing new social and affordable housing options.

Crafted by Architectus in collaboration with landscape architects from Site Office, the proposed Bell-Bardia development is positioned close to the recently finished Tarakan Street Social and Affordable Housing project, a joint effort by NH Architecture, Bird de la Coeur Architects, Openwork, and Tract. Both initiatives were initially slated for redevelopment under Victoria's Public Housing Renewal Program in 2017.

The initial phase of the Bell-Bardia development will transform the eastern segment of the site, introducing 53 social and 51 affordable residences. These new homes will replace the previous 94 dwellings, which Architectus claims “were no longer fit for purpose”, resulting in a 10 percent net increase in housing capacity at the location.

Homes Victoria has highlighted on their official platform that former occupants of the site's previous housing will be prioritised to return to the redeveloped homes, with the remaining social housing allocations managed through the Victorian Housing Register. Affordable housing units will be assigned through Homes Victoria's Affordable Program, aimed at offering quality and secure housing to low to moderate income renters.

Liz Seuseu, Associate Principal at Architectus, emphasised that the project's design was driven by a landscape-centric approach, “that aims to seamlessly blend the precinct with the surrounding neighbourhood.” Site Office's landscape design strategy aims to incorporate natural elements from the nearby Darebin Creek and foster community ties through connecting pathways between Bell and Bardia Streets.

The proposed apartments, featuring one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts, are distributed across two L-shaped structures. Seuseu said, “By incorporating 4–7 storey buildings and using contextual colour palettes, it [the project] aspires to foster a village-like atmosphere within the suburb.”

According to Architectus’s website, “The layout emphasises functional and inviting spaces, including a community garden, covered outdoor seating area and quality landscaped spaces. Thoughtful placement of entrances, windows, glazed louvres and breezeways optimises natural light and ventilation throughout living and shared spaces.”

Designed to meet Livable Housing Design Guidelines Silver Level standards, the homes are set to achieve a 5-Star Green Star and a 7-Star NatHERS rating. “This means that every home will be easier to keep warm in winter and cool in summer, allowing renters to save money and stay comfortable.”

The proposed buildings are characterised by robust materials reflecting Heidelberg West's local character. Featuring brickwork on the lower levels and subdued tones on the upper levels, including green hues inspired by wattles' foliage, with sloped roofs “creating a village-like silhouette.”

Commencing construction in mid-2025, the project is slated for completion by 2027. Homes Victoria has clarified on their website that “there are currently no confirmed plans for any other stages of development at the site.”

 

Source: Architecture, Au

Image Source: Architectus

 

 

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