Housing to give us Hope

6 September 2024

Every time I ride by this medium-density housing around the corner from me in White Gum Valley I am filled with hope.

This housing on Hope Street (as it happens) includes 28 diverse terrace houses and walk-up apartments is a great addition to housing diversity in my neighbourhood.

It demonstrates clever, gentle density that has strong community support despite it being double the density of most of White Gum Valley (coming in at around R50 while most of the suburb is only R25).

The design takes a “landscape first” approach, with big enough setbacks for each dwelling to accommodate deep soil gardens and large trees. This has resulted in 60% open space across the site, contributing positively to the local urban tree canopy and improving biodiversity by prioritizing non-human habitats.

Every home has a northern aspect to a primary garden and an average NatHERS rating of 7.7 stars across the whole development (many homes between 8-9 stars).

And importantly, it was affordable to build, coming in at a per square metre cost not dissimilar to the largely unsustainable housing that dominates Perth’s urban fringe.

It is not surprising then that this week it was shortlisted for National Sustainability Awards in the Multiple Residential category .The project also recently won recognition in three categories, at the WA Architecture Awards including winning the Urban Design Award.

Well done to MDC Architects & Officer Woods and everyone involved.

Photos by Robert Frith Acorn