Located at 18-20 Bruce Street, this eight-story commercial building designed by Carr serves as a catalyst for revitalization within Kensington’s historic industrial district. It is notably the first project certified by the Melbourne City Council’s Green Factor Tool, promising to breathe new life into the area.
Bruce Street lies between North Melbourne and Flemington, with its unique location contributing to the revitalization of Kensington’s historic industrial zone. The street is lined with red brick warehouses, towering barns, and Younghusband wool shops dating back to 1901. This eight-story commercial building by Carr is the first large-scale development in the area. Both the architectural and interior designs pay homage to the site’s history, featuring a robust exterior composed of concrete slabs and red brick bridge piers, complemented by refined metal railings.
The building’s podium is primarily constructed of concrete, recycled bricks, and glass. It features four floors directly facing Bruce Street, while the four floors above are set back by four meters to reduce massing and create visual interest. The architectural style resonates with the existing structures of Kensington and its neighboring warehouses.
The building’s form is expressed through a series of plate-like edges that interact with the horizontal lines of adjacent warehouses. An angled brick pier, positioned between the main facade and the boundary, frames views of the city to the northeast and southeast. These pillars not only offer passive solar protection from the western sun but also add a layer of craftsmanship and natural light filtration through brick masonry. Deep balconies shield the glass facade while providing generous outdoor spaces for tenants. These passive design elements demonstrate an early commitment to sustainability in both architecture and design.
Between the double and triple levels, extensive landscaping softens the building’s facade, creating a dynamic interplay of abrupt and gentle elements. Every floor features visible greenery, from trees enhancing the facade to large concrete planters on balconies. At ground level, a large canopy tree anchors the center, integrating seamlessly with the floor slab. The landscaping, designed by Sydney Design Collective and Jungle, includes a 400-square-meter biodiversity green roof. This roof supports research efforts by the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, fostering an important ecosystem and providing refuge for local wildlife during migration seasons. The building is gas neutral, employing passive shading and a variety of other green strategies to respond proactively to climate and biodiversity challenges.
As a model of sustainable design, Bruce Street is the first project to pass Melbourne City Council’s new Green Factor Tool. This recently approved initiative places positive responsibilities on landscape designers, architects, planners, and developers to increase vegetation coverage on private land throughout Melbourne.
Inside, Carr designed warm, inviting spaces with trial installations to ensure a seamless continuity of the building’s external language throughout all tenant and facility areas. The interior gradually transitions from exposed brick to concrete, incorporating rust-red brick tones through metal accents and paint. The ground floor features two parallel halls that elegantly conceal numerous services and facilities, creating a tranquil environment. Shared amenities include two commercial meeting rooms and extensive tenant travel facilities. Paying tribute to the building’s industrial heritage, interiors retain original design elements with customized lighting and exposed eaves. Upper floors offer half or full-floor leases, with office layouts prioritizing health and wellbeing. Large operable windows and sliding doors provide natural ventilation and scenic views. Deep balconies serve as sunshades and generous private outdoor spaces for all offices.
After identifying Kensington as a neglected suburban area on the city’s outskirts, developer Medley Property Group acquired the land and enlisted Carr to realize its vision of transforming Kensington into a multifunctional, low-scale precinct. Bruce Street directly responds to its unique location by providing a modern, complete workspace. As the first project to pass Melbourne City Council’s Green Factor Tool, Bruce Street sets a new standard for sustainable design.
Project Drawings
△ Plan View
△ Plan View
Project Information
Architect: Carr
Project Year: 2023
Photographer: Rory Gardiner
Owner: Medley Property Group
Construction: Flux Constructions
Landscape Design: Sydney Design Collective, Jungle
Location: Preston, Australia
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up