A $31.2 million apartment complex now under construction in Windsor will show the way for cutting edge environmentally sustainable design, the Victorian Housing Minister, Candy Broad says.
To be known as K2 Apartments, the development, at a former Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind site in Raleigh St, will consist of 96 modern apartments in four medium-rise buildings of four, five and eight storeys, linked by a unique green spine.
Australian-owned construction firm Hansen Yuncken had won a tender to build new clean, green apartments in Windsor. Hansen Yuncken is well-known for its construction of the City of Melbourne’s new Council House 2 building in Little Collins Street.
The building will have extensive water recycling features. Rainwater will be collected from all roof surfaces, stored, sterilised and pumped to two domestic hot water plants to supplement the building’s hot water supply. Recycled water will also be used for toilet flushing and irrigation of the building’s gardens. Wherever possible, environmentally friendly materials, such as timber from sustainable sources, will be used in the construction.
The development complements other green housing initiatives introduced by the Bracks Government, including the requirement for all new housing to be five-star energy efficient, and the solar initiative that is providing solar-powered hot water to more than 10,000 public housing tenants.
Construction on the buildings commenced recently. Residents will be those on low incomes who meet public housing eligibility criteria.
“The many green features in this design will deliver savings to tenants through lower energy and water costs and multiple benefits to the environment through lower greenhouse emissions,” Ms Broad says.
The building was designed by Melbourne architecture firm DesignInc after an Australia-wide competition supported by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. The design reduces energy consumption through the use of photovoltaic cells and solar hot water panels, as well as its east-west orientation, which maximises winter sun and minimises summer sun.
“The Bracks Government is leading the way in delivering greener affordable homes and environmentally friendly design,” Ms Broad says.
“An increasing number of public housing tenants, are now contributing to a culture of sustainability and environmental awareness.”