HUB205

Objectively, it seems Co-praxis’ success on this project comes down to two things: their green thumbs and their holistic approach. In the past this might have sounded a bit newage and left-of-field, but these days, it’s pretty much a basic industry requirement, at least it is if you want to stay two steps ahead of increasingly eco-friendly planning and building regulations.

Co-praxis has some pretty impressive green credentials: they aim for carbon neutral or carbon balanced designed environments, and are a member of The Green Building Council of Australia. But what sets them apart from at least the majority of the competition is that they also calculate and offset the carbon footprint generated by each client engagement, at their own expense, using the Western Australia-based reforestation company Elementree. This on its own might explain how they managed to secure unanimous approval for a much higher density plan than was originally permitted by the council zoning. On the other hand it could have been the ecologically sustainable nature of the project proposal that did the job. Or the procommunity, pro-public transport principles it promotes.

The client’s original brief was for a development 2/3 of the size of the finished project, and at a slightly lower density, as the council zoning would not accommodate anything more. It was with the help of Co-praxis that approval was secured for the ultimate higher-density proposal, allowing the developer to acquire the final third of the site. The architects and clients then worked together in developing the brief, setting their collective mind towards reviving that oft-forgotten sense of community. The solution, they decided, was a unique “village within a building” concept, with its own sense of space within the area, and a niche position within the market.

The site borders onto the Northbridge entertainment district, so while the area itself is recreationally active and adventurous, previous developments nearby had been sedate and, let it be said, boring. It was assumed that the area was just not ready for anything other than a standard development. The idea of HUB205 emerged from a desire to avoid this monotonous archetype.

The “hub” itself a centrally located lap pool, pool deck, spa, barbeque area and gymnasium, directly accessible from the living area of every one of the new units, designed to encourage opportunities for casual neighbourly interaction.

Furthermore, the hub’s pool, as a permanent body of water, also serves to cool the air as it passes along the complex’s natural cross-ventilation pathways, harnessing the miracle of the “Fremantle Doctor” sea breeze, and reducing the need for artificial air conditioning to an almost negligible level. So the hub earns brownie points with the authorities, as well as the residents.

HUB205 is a mixed-level assortment of 17 units: twelve residential apartment and townhouses, and five commercial units. The site itself only covers a total 1200 square metre footprint and slopes in two axes, both physical constraints on the potential layout of the project. The solution adopted by Co-praxis and the client was to align the units along two distinct street frontages. On one hand, the busy Bulwer Street façade has a bold, strong presence, with three pairs of mirror image apartments set on different levels. These apartments are cradled above the street-level commercial tenancies, a positioning which imparts a distinct sense of being ‘above it all’, securely buffered from the action down on the street. The quieter Edith Street frontage has more undulation in the setback, and subtler detailing, which better suits the more domestic ambiance of the street, and complements more secluded townhouses occupying this wing. These townhouses are also arranged on varying levels, with two pairs at one level, and the bookend townhouses at a separate common level.

It is the “hub” that unites these two halves of the site. Surprisingly, although the residential apartments and townhouses are set at seven different levels, each and every one has direct access to the communal ‘hub’ space – it truly is a hub in every sense of the word. In fact, the ingenuity of the design actually utilises this multi-level articulation, ensuring a degree of privacy from within the units, while luring all residents down to the delights of the communal space “on ground”.

All the dwellings were designed specifically to have a feeling of light and space, belying the particularly strict budget and space constraints. Space has been vertically expanded by raking ceilings, south-light and stair voids, with balconies designed to expand directly from the internal living spaces. In the townhouses in particular, space and openness are maximised. A secondary living space was introduced downstairs, providing light and ventilation to the third bedroom. This living space then opens onto a small courtyard which, by way of portholes in the pool wall, have the added benefit of a watery refracted light display after dark.

And so the “hub” of HUB205 is also the heart of the project – the source of light, air, cooling, recreation, interaction and life, shared by and accessible to all who reside there. +

1 On the busier Bulwer Street frontage, apartments are cradled and buffered by the commercial tenancies below. 2 Interiors are spacious and contemporary, despite a maximum width of 4.8 metres. 3 The 15 metre lap pool is a green space for all residents, and also serves to cool the passing sea breezes.

PHOTOGRAPHY by Adam Lewis and Thomas Perry