The Gardiner and Heywood apartment buildings have direct access to Gardiner Creek, private gardens and an open-air piazza, restaurants and village-style food market.

Both apartment buildings rise out of the rooftop garden which supports a mini eco-system complete with trees and a pond that captures both irrigation and water for toilet flushing.

The project involved the rezoning of this complex site and the development of a  masterplan, including a shopping centre of approximately 8,000sqm, with specialty shops and restaurants and strata offices across the two main frontages.

There are approximately 600 dwellings including apartments, townhouses and residences all set in a landscaped context that represents the best in public amenity, urban fit and built form expression.

A Sustainability framework has been established which outlines principles and targets to minimize the projects environmental impact. WSUD measures will achieve potable water savings, reduce waste water discharges, stormwater pollution and improve recreational and visual amenity. Road ways and open spaces are integral to the WSUD including swales, retention systems and strategies to minimize water runoff and usage.

Tooronga Village represents an opportunity to both revitalise a challenging site while setting new standards in urban design and masterplanning.

These include a neighbourhood centre, schools, community facilities, housing and the Community Activity Centre. The design provides for a diversity of streetscapes with an urban quality, and the inclusion of environmental sustainable built forms and Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD).

The masterplan shows a commitment to the formation of a nature reserve and the integration of the surrounding landscape with the proposed built forms. This is achieved by the protection of hundreds of iconic Red River Gums located in parklands and reserves across the site.

The vision of the team was to create a built environment respectful of the region’s coastal topography.The design guidelines for the dwellings were also developed to ensure that the suggested contemporary architecture used sympathetic materials and forms that suit the rolling dunes of the area.

The next step involved developing the masterplan for the hotel precinct; consisting of the clubhouse and six stages of hotel incorporating 280 accommodation units. Plus also designed  the clubhouse and the first stage of the hotel.

The Victorian Harbour water frontage was the focus both physically and visually for the masterplan.The design maximises access and views to Victoria Harbour, the Yarra River, the CBD, and beyond.

The waterfront becomes a visual marker and a focal point for the precinct’s activity. This is achieved through highly interactive social spaces which were provided to encourage participation and human activity. These include the marina, a promenade, public squares, cafes, and restaurants.The 5.9ha eastern half of the site incorporates 1300 apartments in five residential towers and a commercial space of 6700sqm consisting of restaurants, bars and retail outlets along the promenade.