Project Overview

Ruskin Elwood presents best practice in sustainable design and construction across four premium residences.

With architecture by Fieldwork, Ruskin Elwood is able to be run off 100% renewable energy. Onsite solar panels, electric heat pumps for hot water and Tesla Powerwall batteries achieve better living for a better future.

Ruskin Elwood comprises four, premium, low impact residences. Each residence comprises either three or four bedrooms across three levels, each with its own lift and with north facing windows that lead out to expansive terraces overlooking Elwood Canal that provides a generous space for entertaining and relaxing.

Landscaping by SBLA is designed to complement sustainable living with a selection of low maintenance, indigenous coastal flora chosen to attract a variety of native birdlife, create a landscaped buffer zone between the residences and the Elwood Canal trail and foster a visual connection between indoors and out.

At the core of Ruskin Elwood is a belief that considered design and construction is vital for a fossil fuel-free future.

Organisation

HIP V. HYPE

 

Team

HIP V. HYPE- Developer
Fieldwork- Architect
Intracon- Builder
HIP V. HYPE Sustainability- ESD
SBLA- Landscape

Project Brief

The project brief was to consolidate a portion of land along Elwood’s canal in Melbourne’s bayside, which originally comprised of two terrace houses, one with no water frontage, and re-orientated the site to the north to deliver four high preforming, energy efficient homes overlooking the native canal landscape.

The brief was to demonstrate that refined, premium living did not have to be compromised in order to be environmentally sustainable. The brief was to combine a progressive attitude to sustainability with a conservative mindset, where 100% electric, onsite solar power production and Tesla Powerwall battery storage enables residents to have improved self-sufficiency and keeps energy bills to a minimum.

Further, the brief was to deliver a case study that demonstrates that best practice in environmentally sustainable and well-designed density enhances the accessibility and liveability of our inner and middle ring suburbs, as well as providing downsizers in particular with a housing option to age in place, connected to community ties and local amenities.

Project Innovation/Need

Ruskin Elwood responds to the need for an increase in environmentally sustainable and well-designed density in the middle ring suburbs of Australian cities. The project demonstrates the future of sustainable multi-residential in its use of passive design and solar battery technology, whilst representing best practice in suburban density for the sustainable growth for our cities.

Multi-residential developments that are site responsive and champion durable and sustainable design principles responsibly increase density in inner and middle ring suburbs. Responsible density is critical to easing the demands of our growing population and preventing further urban sprawl, which encroaches on our precious natural environment and is less resilient to events such as bush fire.

Ruskin Elwood is two blocks from the beach, a five-minute walk from Ormand Esplanade and less than 400m from Elwood Village. The residences are connected to the community as much as they are with the natural environment, promoting a physically and socially active lifestyle for residents.

Multi-residential developments such as Ruskin Elwood achieve premium sustainable living, transforming a site that accommodated two energy in-efficient terraces, into four high-preforming homes. Ruskin Elwood reduces the impact of built form on the environment, whilst meeting the broader policy objectives of responsibly densifying the middle ring.

Another focus in designing and building Ruskin Elwood was to achieve accessible living spaces by designing to Liveable Housing Australia’s Gold and Platinum guidelines. This will enable more diverse residents to enjoy Ruskin Elwood for longer.

Design Challenge

The design challenge of Ruskin Elwood was to achieve premium sustainable living and demonstrate well-designed density in an established, middle ring suburb context.

Ruskin Elwood succeeded in transforming a site that accommodated two energy in-efficient terraces, into four high-preforming homes. Ruskin Elwood reduces the impact of built form on the environment, whilst meeting the broader policy objectives of responsibly densifying the middle ring.

To achieve high performance sustainable living, the design needed to integrate both passive design principles and advanced sustainability technology.

Ruskin Elwood was reorientated to achieve a dual north-south aspect to promote cross ventilation and solar penetration to all habitable rooms. Operable external blinds to the large balcony decks to the north allow residents to control shade and privacy to the outdoor-indoor living space nestled amongst the heritage-listed tree canopy.

The project invested in solar battery technology, installing solar panels on the roof, which link to a Tesla Powerwall in the garage to generate and store power for use within each residence on site. The solar power generated during the day can be consumed by residents at night.

The project was constructed where possible with locally sourced, natural materials for low environmental impact and enduring long-term performance.

The sustainability focused design provides residents with consistent internal temperatures to enhance healthy living. Strong passive design principles reduce the energy required to cool Ruskin Elwood in summer and heat the homes in winter.

Sustainability

Ruskin Elwood is designed to allow residents to live sustainably more conveniently.

The project demonstrates best practice in climate resilient design and construction. The project achieved 7+ star energy rating, is 100% electric and is able to be run on 100% renewable energy.

Natural light and cross ventilation are complemented by solar panels, battery storage, rainwater tanks, electric heat pumps for hot water, high levels of insulation, high performance windows and an advanced Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) system. The ERV system serves as an air filtration system, ensuring the indoor environment of each residence is protected from dust, allergens and pollens.

The design provides a tangible health benefit to residents by providing cleaner air indoors and encouraging positive physical and mental wellbeing through connectivity to the local community and surrounding amenity.

The homes are designed to minimise the energy use and significantly reduce energy costs for the residents. Any shortfall of required energy between what is generated by the on-site solar panels and the homes’ needs is met by being able to purchase renewable energy from the grid.