Is this what the future of sustainable urban living looks like? We hope so.
In the heart of Melbourne, not-for-profit organisation Nightingale Housing is quietly raising the bar for environmental and community-conscious design, and the result is nothing short of revolutionary.
As big supporters of their work since Nightingale Village opened back in 2022, we’re thrilled to share a sneak peek at their latest achievements at Nightingale Wurru wurru biik, Brunswick. The build exemplifies their design philosophy which respects the planet's finite resources and puts people before profit.
What makes a Nightingale build so special? From energy-efficient materials to innovative water conservation and solar power initiatives, they’re designed with an eye on the future from the inside out. Their designs offer a blueprint for urban living that nurtures individuals, the community and the environment.
A shared rooftop garden at Wurru wurru biik provides a meeting place for residents and facilitates connection between residents. Photo by Kate Longley.
The development boasts an average 8.8 and minimum 7.5 stars NatHERS rating and is powered by a CPPA (Corporate Power Purchase Agreement) from Momentum Energy. This means their electricity usage is matched with 100% GreenPower accredited Large Scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) from renewable electricity generated at Granville Harbour Wind Farm in Tasmania.
It’s powerful stuff. Let’s take a closer look.
Nightingale Wurru wurru biik
Nightingale Wurru wurru biik is a four-community precinct in Brunswick, Melbourne providing 23 commercial spaces and 99 new homes (including 20 pre-allocated to community housing).
Wurru wurru biik was developed in consultation with Wurundjeri Elders. Each community has been given a Woi Wurrung name around the theme of the ‘sky’ or ‘wurru-wurru’, one of the six layers of Wurundjeri Country.
High environmental standards, community-first design, and consideration of the landscape are what we’ve come to know and love with all Nightingale Housing projects.
The building surrounds a central courtyard honoring the 65,000 years of precolonial history through a connection to the environment, with live greenery playing a key ambient role across all communities and levels from ground floor to rooftop.
Living greenery plays a key role across all communities and levels, from ground to garden rooftops. Photo by Kate Longley.
What you can see
Designed by Breathe and built by Markscon, the materials and form acknowledge Brunswick's diverse heritage and industrial past, with arches and frames, brick and concrete meeting in different combinations.
Each apartment includes hydronic heating, powered by a centralised energy efficient heap pump. Residents also have access to communal bath houses, shared rooftop areas and shared guesthouse accommodation for visitors. Communal spaces encourage connection and collaboration between residents and provide space for regular placemaking events.
What you can’t see
As usual with our friends at Nightingale, there’s more to Wurru wurru biik than meets the eye. Their philosophy penetrates all the way to the core of the building, from sustainable construction practices to energy efficient materials and appliances.
Residents also benefit from solar panels, rainwater harvesting and high-performing insulation, which all help to reduce electricity and water consumption. The electricity supplied to residents through their embedded electricity network is matched by 100% GreenPower accredited renewable energy, supporting Australia’s transition to renewables.
And look around, you won’t see a private parking spot in sight. Instead, the design accommodates ample bicycle parking and encourages use of nearby public transport and car sharing options.
Simple designs incorporate low embodied energy materials and leave ample room for residents to personalise their space. Photo by Kate Longley.
Using the power we have to make a difference
Even if a car-free lifestyle and growing your own vegetables isn’t right for you, Nightingale Housing ’s latest developments do an excellent job of showcasing how cities can do a better job of facilitating low carbon lifestyles.
It’s also a reminder that there’s something we can all do as consumers to play our part in Australia’s transition to renewables and that’s choosing who to support with our energy dollars.
Looking for more information on our CPPAs?
If you’re a large business or represent an embedded network and would like to learn more about hitting your sustainability goals with us, we’d love to hear from you. Our easy-to-manage Corporate Power Purchase Agreement sources 100% of your business electricity needs from renewables.
Find out more
Nightingale Housing is located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present, and recognise and respect their abiding connection to this land, its waterways and community. We also acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country on which we meet and work throughout Australia.