Our proposal envisioned a future where more of us worked from home, drove autonomous electric vehicles, consumed less, and cared more about work–life balance and the health of our environments. The home of the future was conceived as a life-long commitment, an investment in place and community, rather than a rung on the property ladder or a figure in a portfolio. This vision opened significant potential for apartment living in Melbourne’s middle suburbs. Freed from the burden of long commutes, the suburbs became a desirable location for many. Buyer expectations, together with government incentives, encouraged developers to embrace sustainable design principles. What was once aspirational became essential: low-rise timber construction with a reduced carbon footprint proved viable; solar energy, water harvesting, food production, and well-insulated, well-orientated buildings drove down running costs for occupants.

The scheme uses a central courtyard, bike parking, circulation and shared space to encourage chance encounters and invite occupants to dwell. Shared planters also provide occupants with a sense of agency and mutual responsibility over their environment, critical to forming strong communities. In phase two of the scheme, an internal shared space at ground level opens the building up to the street, soliciting interest and interaction with the broader community.

Our proposal embraced this future, employing landscape as a central strategy. It softened building mass, mitigated overlooking, shaded apartments, insulated roofs, produced food, and created beautiful shared spaces. Landscape also grounded the development in place, offering occupants not only environmental performance but also a tangible sense of belonging and community.