The Commons is about sustainable urbanisation - a replicable triple bottom line development with apartments that are spacious, generous, simple, affordable, sustainable and that value add to the community. At its core, The Commons is about people, not architectural form, and what is most impressive is the way in which people use the building, the way they interact. It’s how they smile and talk to each other in the lift. It’s their generosity toward one another.

The sense of community and camaraderie that quickly developed in the building is incredible. The Commons is filled with great neighbours and good people, and we would like to think that the architecture has been the catalyst for this outcome. It has been a magnet for people of similar values to come together to build a community, and treat common areas like the rooftop garden with pride.

The design strategy for The Commons was to build more with less. To give space and height, light and air. To give people what they needed not what the marketing agents thought would sell. The Commons is made up of a series of small, but delightful architectural moments. And the whole, together, is so much more than the sum of its parts.

Awards

• Australian Interior Design Awards 2016 Award for Interior Design Impact
• National Architecture Awards 2014 Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture — Multiple Housing
• National Architecture Awards 2014 David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture
• VIC Architecture Awards 2014 Allan & Beth Coldicutt Award Sustainable Architecture
• VIC Architecture Awards 2014 Best Overend Award Residential Architecture: Multiple Housing
• VIC Architecture Awards 2014 Melbourne Prize (Shortlisted)
• Premier’s Design Awards 2014 Premiers Design Award Winner
• Premier’s Design Awards 2014 Best In Category — Architectural Design
• Houses Awards 2014 Sustainability Award
• Houses Awards 2014 Apartment or Unit (Shortlisted)
• IDEA Awards 2014 Sustainability
• IDEA Awards 2014 Residential — Multi
• BPN Sustainability Awards 2014 Best of the Best
• BPN Sustainability Awards 2014 Multi-Density Residential
• Australian Timber Design Awards 2014 Timber Cladding
• Intergrain Timber Vision Award 2014 Commercial Exterior

Photography: Dianna Snape, Tom Ross, Rebecca Ramage, Michael Downes, Andrew Wuttke

We are proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which The Commons stands. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.