As a multi-faceted suburb with a rich history and industrial vernacular, Brunswick is a pocket of Melbourne renowned for its eclecticism. Set in such dynamic surroundings, our Brunswick Yard project draws reference to the suburbs’ storied past while creating a modern building suitable for contemporary living.

Key to the design of Brunswick Yard is a seamless inside-out approach. As Carr worked on both architecture and interiors across the 122 apartments over eight levels, there is a strong continuation from the outside through to the inside, with the interiors expressing the same clean lines and simple forms that define the exterior. Having the same design thinking extend from the exterior to the interiors means there is a consistent design language and thoroughly considered spatial experience.

Part of that process was creating an architectural response that brings a finer-grain residential architecture into a street dominated by large-scale warehousing. As an area, Brunswick is undergoing rapid transformation with high to medium-density residential and mixed-use projects. Brunswick Yard uses the surrounding context to inform the building’s identity while bringing modernist design thinking to life.

The project is arranged around a central garden, which serves to break down the overall building mass and establish a strong sense of place. A key design consideration was how to deliver an eight-storey form while mitigating its perceived scale. To achieve this, the fourth level is expressed as a recessed interstitial floor, creating a distinct podium that appears to float above the street.

The building’s long street frontage is articulated as a series of smaller modules, presenting a rhythm of four-storey townhouses to soften the overall scale. This articulation is further broken down by two laneways that punctuate the street edge, giving each module its own identity while also improving amenity, enhancing natural light and enabling cross-ventilation through dual-aspect apartments.

A further benefit of the recessed floor and increased upper-level setbacks is the opportunity for higher ceilings. Several apartments feature 3.5-metre ceiling heights with exposed concrete soffits, adding a sense of volume and material richness to the interiors.

The façade expresses a rhythmic play on the vertical form. Even though each apartment is a single floor, on the façade they read as a series, with the ground floor apartments having dual access from the street, much like a mews or terrace house, but with additional internal access via the central courtyard. The 122 apartments in total have been evenly divided across two buildings, with a maximum of 12 apartments per lift core, per floor – a deliberate decision based on wanting to foster a sense of community. The project comprises a range of one, two- and three-bedroom apartments, designed under the Better Apartment Design Standards (BADS) and ensuring the best ways to utilise the square meterage. The laneways allow for dual aspects, while many of the apartments also include a Juliet balcony.

Aesthetically, the project is defined by its use of concrete and steel mesh, a brutalist design language that reinterprets the industrial character of the area. “The use of a singular material was critical on this project. It was chosen not just because of its relevance to Brunswick, but also for the atmospheric quality it expresses. Despite being a monolithic building with a heavy material, the way the façade has been broken down in its form, and softened by planting, it also shows a lightness through its raw and natural properties,” says Director Richard Beel.

Steel mesh is used throughout the project for both functional and aesthetic purposes, serving as balustrading, screening, and a support structure for planting. Originally explored in earlier projects as a method to control sightlines and comply with overlooking standards, the mesh is here applied at a much larger scale. It also functions as a planting medium, enabling vines to climb and soften the architectural form over time.

To balance the material weight of concrete and steel, the planting strategy plays a critical role. The mesh screens contribute to privacy, offer solar control, and act as low-maintenance green walls that bring a natural softness to the façade. Further moments of material relief are introduced through handcrafted timber doors at ground level, adding warmth and tactility.

The landscape design integrates generous private outdoor areas, including garden beds, pathways, canopy trees, and a large central lawn that captures northern light, creating a sanctuary-like environment for residents.

Internally, each apartment has been carefully planned to prioritise space, light, and liveability. The layouts respond directly to the Better Apartments Design Standards (BADS), avoiding saddleback configurations and ensuring functional, adaptable living and dining areas. The result is a series of well-proportioned apartments designed to suit a variety of living styles, particularly for owner-investors seeking long-term value.

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