The rise of Build to Rent projects are poised to reach a peak in popularity by 2024, says architectural firm DKO, who are at the forefront of the Build to Rent trend with 2,729 Build to Rent projects currently under construction or in the pipeline for the upcoming year.
One notable development is Indi Southbank in Melbourne, a joint venture between Investa, Oxford Properties, PDG and the City of Melbourne. The 1800 sqm site development is set to become one of Melbourne’s tallest Build to Rent buildings, standing at 43-storeys and comprising of 434 homes.
Scheduled for completion in 2025, Indi acknowledges the existing parklands and heritage of the former J H Boyd Girls School site, with the developers aiming to uphold its history through the development.
DKO’s smart design draws upon the existing nature of the heritage architecture and natural landscaping of the site to inform an architectural response that is sympathetic to its place.
The ground plane focusses on community engagement and active uses, directly linked to the City of Melbourne’s substantial landscaped park. The building will also contain 920 sqm of City of Melbourne council facilities.
“This building is a multifaceted proposition that responds to the context of the heritage Boyd School building, the new council park and the site’s interface to Kingsway. In crafting the overall architecture and the interiors of the public areas, DKO drew inspiration from the beautiful brick of the heritage building, and the strong defined industrial vernacular of the surrounding area. The distinct urban context of Melbourne permeates every aspect of the design from the choice of building materials to the artwork selection, fostering a sense of connection with the city’s energy and lifestyle.”
Raymond Mah, Director, DKO
Designed with a strong sustainability focus, Indi Southbank has community at its heart with communal residential amenities including a swimming pool, spa, gym, fitness room (yoga/spin), outdoor BBQ and landscaped areas inclusive of a dog run and co-working spaces.
Eschewing the prevalent glass tower typology common to the Southbank area, the design is richly textured and layered, drawing from the raw industrial metal trusses of the Kings Way overpass and the warm earthy tones of the heritage brick Boyd building.
As the demand for housing continues to surge, there has been a sector-wide acknowledgement that Build to Rent projects, such as Indi, are a viable solution that the Australian housing sector should continue to explore. Additionally, there are an astounding 20,515 Build to Rent projects approved or going through planning stages across the country.
DKO acknowledges that Build to Rent and projects such as Indi are the way forward for the Australian housing sector to explore new typologies and ways of living to address the looming housing crisis.
