Banbury Village is a flagship integrated housing project – the largest master-planned community of its type in inner Melbourne.
Australian cities are changing, and nowhere faster than in the industrial suburbs that once powered the nation’s economic growth. As manufacturing has declined, leaving factories empty, a growing urban population has stepped in, breathing new life into inner urban areas such as Footscray. In this context, Banbury Village is a flagship integrated housing project – the largest master-planned community of its type in inner Melbourne. DKO was commissioned by Cedar Woods to design of the master plan and much of the housing on the site, ranging from terraced houses to large detached family homes and more than 200 apartments. This integration of apartments into a precinct of terraced and detached homes, provides for a strong community identity, combined with generous open public space and a community hub. As an ambitious urban infill development, Cedar Woods not only respects the site’s history, but also protects its future through the deployment of sustainable design features, such as plumbed rainwater tanks and bike racks, which have helped deliver a six-star energy rating for houses. As an example of new Footscray architecture, Banbury Village reflects DKO’s commitment to a modern design aesthetic of finely crafted detailing, expressed geometric form and the disciplined use of materials.
YEAR
2010
STATUS
Complete
CLIENT
Cedar Woods
LOCATION
Footscray, AUS
SCALE
9ha
DWELLINGS
500
DISCIPLINE
Master Planning
EXPERTISE
Master Planning
Architecture
Interior Design
Photographer: Peter Bennetts
DKO is a multi-disciplinary, award-winning design practice centred on creating ingenious spaces that are driven by the needs of the user, site opportunities and the dynamic process of translating design intent into built outcomes. Founded in 2000 by Principal Koos de Keijzer, its operations have expanded from Melbourne to studios in Sydney, Perth, Auckland, Ho Chi Minh City, and Brisbane. DKO has remained committed to the same underlying principles since day one. Its multiple teams spread across the Asia-Pacific region are solidly united behind the same grounded and humble approach taken to each project, big or small.
Keeping minds open to any possibility, DKO always focuses on finding the best idea, regardless of where it came from. By encouraging the personal growth of each individual within the organisation, DKO plans to become a globally oriented entity, consistently forging ahead in both business and creative objectives. DKO embraces the role of architecture in shaping a more sustainable future. As a practice, it never loses sight of the most fundamental quality that connects all great design – people. Through human understanding and nurture, DKO seeks to continually maximise its potential and deliver architecture at its utmost excellence.