Learn about 366 Church Street, Richmond and read about project updates
Development Summary
The development includes the demolition of an existing building and the construction of a new multi-storey residential building. The building will comprise 31 one- and two-bedroom units, including basement car parking.
Owner/applicant
Medley Group Pty Ltd
Development size
4 storeys, 31 dwellings
Project team
Jam Architects
Selection of key sustainable design commitments
1.0 Indoor environment quality
- Double glazing to all external windows for improved thermal comfort and reduced energy consumption.
- Openable windows to bathrooms for natural ventilation.
- Windows to lobbies and common stairs for natural light.
2.0 Energy efficiency
- Retractable blinds to large eastern and western windows to control passive heat gains throughout the year and privacy throughout the day.
- A 3kW peak photovoltaic system to produce power for common area lighting.
- Air conditioners for apartments will be 5 Star rated.
- Gas boosted solar hot water services to minimise energy consumption.
- Gas cook tops will be used in favour of electric cook tops due to their lower greenhouse gas emissions.
4.0 Stormwater management
- A 25KL rainwater tank will harvest on-site rainwater, which will be reused for flushing of toilets and landscape irrigation.
6.0 Transport
A total of 10 bicycle parking spaces will be provided; 6 for residents and 4 for visitors.
Follow up questions and answers
Q (Yarra ESD Advisor): The development’s planning permit required the installation of retractable blinds on the eastern and western elevation drawings at third floor level. We are interested in how these blinds have been executed. Were they easy/difficult to source/install?
A No these were relatively straightforward, but they are reasonably expensive as they are automated.
Q: Have you received any feedback from occupants in regard to their performance?
A: The feedback is that they are effective for both sun glare and privacy
Q: Have you incorporated retractable external blinds on any following projects?
Q: The development’s planning permit required the inclusion of windows to the stairwell. Do you think the inclusion of these windows made the staircase a friendlier place and therefore encourages occupants to walk, rather than use the lift?
A: I think they are a valid inclusion, but I think people still rarely use the stairs, they are primarily a fire escape – this may have something to do with the raw finish usually given to fire stairs.
Q: Did you experience any compliance issues at the building permit stage?
A: No, but these types of buildings are becoming more complex in their permit conditions every time we undertake one, due to the increasing number of requirements in all departments – traffic, ESD, urban design, etc.
Q: The development’s planning permit required the inclusion of solar hot water panels and solar (PV) panels on the roof. Can you please briefly outline what capacities have been installed for each of them?
A: The PV panels were a 2 kW system. The gas boosted solar hot water system was designed for 50% solar contribution.
Q: One of the application’s initial ESD commitments was the construction of a 50Kl rainwater tank, connected for toilet flushing. The endorsed drawings show that this size has later on been significantly reduced. What was the reason for the reduction in size?
A: Lack of space in the basement, and cost of putting the tanks underground.
Q: What size rain water tank has been constructed in the end and how many toilets have been connected?
A: 25KL and all ground floor toilets were hooked up to the tank as well as landscape irrigation.
Q: Have you received any feedback from occupants or your client on the use of rainwater for toilet flushing?
A: No, but that can be taken as a good thing.
Q: The design incorporated 10 secure bicycle parking spaces in the basement for the residents of 31 apartments. During one of your later visits, did you have the impression the provided bike parking capacity is sufficient or do you think additional spaces should have been provided
A: Occupant bike storage numbers should have been more, but very few occupants used their storage cages to store bikes.
Q: Do you have any other stories or comments you would like to share?
A: The feedback from occupants generally is the building operates quite well with few sticking points.
For more information contact us on 9205 5555 or email [email protected].