WA winners compete with nation’s best

Two exceptional WA projects are heading for the final national contest in Australian Apartment Advocacy’s (AAA) November Apartment Awards for Excellence.

The first, a ground-breaking collaboration between neighbours at 8 Parker Street, South Perth, resulted in 11 households trading in dilapidated townhouses for brand-new apartments and a share in the spoils of the sales of the remaining luxury homes in a complex of 23, including an infinity pool overlooking the Swan River and generous balconies with Perth skyline views.  The development took out the Pioneering and Luxury categories for WA.

The second, in the Enduring category for projects aged 10 years-plus, was for the Gen Y demonstration home, creating three sustainable, affordable apartments designed for first-home buyers in Development WA’s White Gum Valley innovation project.

“We are delighted to be showcasing WA innovation, collaboration and design excellence,” AAA CEO Samantha Reece said.

The South Perth 8 Parker Street project was the brainchild of dentist Joe Muscara and his wife Sara who realised they were unlikely to ever benefit from an expensive renovation because the neighbouring townhouses were so rundown. Given his neighbours also faced hefty maintenance costs, Muscara convinced them to contribute their homes and $40,000 and engaged John Colliere Architects for cutting-edge design, with Generis Consulting to manage the project.

The 23-apartment Parker Street complex was the first approved by the WA Government’s State Development Assessment Unit (SDAU) and each home was customised, with high ceilings, underfloor heating in the bathrooms and custom cabinetry. The complex also features a cutting-edge garage with future-proof technology, number-plate recognition and EV charging stations.

The award-winning Gen Y Demonstration Home in White Gum Valley, designed by Cast, gained Etool’s Gold Medal level life cycle analysis, meets One Planet Living sustainability principles and Liveable Homes accessibility standards. It consists of three interlocking apartments on a 250sqm block surrounded by gardens. The most recent sale of a unit, priced at $330,000 a decade ago, was $440,000. The triplex was designed with PV cells and battery storage, a 10,000-litre underground rainwater tank and remains sturdy, contemporary and affordable, despite it being completed in 2015.

“Apartment sector struggles with defects and accountability cannot detract from these inspiring, high-quality projects, ranging from affordable to top-end luxury,” Ms Reece said. “Each are distinguished by excellent design and attention to detail, setting the industry standard. AAA believes the apartment sector is on the cusp of realising greater innovation and sustainability potential and the Gen Y project in particular demonstrates that the concept as well as the build are enduring.”

The AAA’s next Apartment Awards for Excellence will be held at Pier One The Rocks, NSW on June 20. The 25 entrants include brutalist former public housing-turned luxury apartment complex Sirius.

Top left and bottom left Cast Studios and Gen Y which won the Enduring category. The team from Colliere Architects and Generis Consulting with 8 Parker St which won Luxury and Pioneering.