A new community at 15 Thompson Street, designed by Hayball and OCULUS for Assemble, won the 2024 Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Victoria Apartments Mid-Rise Award.

Committed to fostering more connected, resilient local communities in homes built to last, Assemble seeks to bridge the gap between renting and home ownership in Australian cities.

The jury citation said “the entire design and social infrastructure fosters community connection. The vision was to create accessible, comfortable housing with low running costs and minimal environmental impact in a modern, community-centric precinct. The emphasis on affordable quality, innovation, design and detail has produced an outstanding development providing a different offer to most in Melbourne, with plans to deliver this concept nationally.”

OCULUS designed a series of landscape experiences, providing residents with a connection to their surrounding context on Wurundjeri Country, and a diversity of social spaces.

An activated ground plane sets the tone and enhances character, while a through-site link enhances connectivity. Intimate laneways and stoops provide eyes on the street, a direct engagement between public and private space.

Flexible communal spaces offer opportunities for residents to come together, a mix of fixed and movable furniture allows spaces to change as required, and there’s even a pizza oven on the rooftop with herbs conveniently growing nearby.