Tower Turnaround

Design competition for high-rise housing - Footscray

In November 2007, the Victorian Government through the Office of Housing (OoH) and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect (OVGA) with endorsement by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) sponsored two competitions for Victorian registered architects. The competitions challenged architects to show how good design can improve the quality of public housing and to develop models for better public housing outcomes.  Environmentally sustainable design was a focus for both competitions.

The initiative encouraged creative designs for public housing in two separate sections:

• Innovative ideas and treatments for the exterior of an existing 12 storey high-rise building in Footscray
• Creative medium-density housing designs for public housing on a suburban site in Dandenong

The Tower Turnaround competition closed on 20 February 2008. The winners BKK Architects and Peter Elliott Pty Ltd Architecture & Urban Design, with Taylor Cullity Lethlean, Robert Owen (artist), Felicetti Engineers and Sense Architecture were announced on 27 April 2008 by Richard Wynne MP, Minister for Housing. 

The winning proposal sets new standards for lowering energy and water use and measuring and monitoring energy and water efficiency in buildings.   Design excellence balancing social,environmental and economic considerations is also a feature offering a great place to live and enhancing the local environment.

The winning entry at a glance:

• The redevelopment of Gordon Street Footscray involves reinvigorating the image and amenity of this 12 storey tower block through the construction of bay window pods across the façade, improved landscaping, art pergola features and improved access arrangements.
• Improved environmental performance of the building will be achieved by wall insulation, and the installation of new thermally efficient double glazed window units. 
• Rainwater will be harvested and reused in communal laundries and roof-mounted wind turbines will generate power for the building, all reducing running costs to tenants.
• The redevelopment will retain and enhance the existing award winning community garden on site.
• Gordon Street residents and the community will have the opportunity to comment on the design.
• Work on site is expected to be undertaken in 2010.

For further information contact the Project Manager High Rise on (03) 9096 5001.