The Davison Collaborative represents how we can use what we have more efficiently and add positively to the character of our suburbs for future generations.

This project has been delivered in accordance with the principles of the deliberative development model known as Collaborative Development by HIP V. HYPE. The model allows for collaborators to come together and utilise the multi-disciplinary expertise of HIP V. HYPE and our close friends to create better quality, more sustainable and more financially accessible townhouse style homes in inner urban locations where property prices are increasingly forcing people out of the market.

Each townhouse is split over two levels, and contains three bedrooms, two bathrooms, one car and considered circulation to ensure separation between public and private spaces - a key in maximising liveability in higher density living.

The residences are all electric, powered by solar energy during the day and solar energy stored in the batteries during the evening. The homes are targeted to be net carbon positive in operation, reducing their environmental impact, as well as reducing energy bills for the residents.

We have targeted a minimum environmental rating of 8 stars and fossil fuel free 100% electric green power.

Client

3 Townhouses

Location

1 Davison Street, Brunswick VIC 3056

Product

3 Townhouses

Collaborators

Archier
Binq Windows
Sonnen
Stiebel Eltron
Caroma
SBLA

Recognition

2022
Finalist: Victorian Premier's Design Awards

2021
Finalist: Design Anthology Awards
Finalist: Architizer Awards
Commendation: HOUSES Awards

2020
Development of the Year: The Urban Developer Awards
Design Champion & Gold Winner: DrivenxDesign Awards Melbourne
ArchiTeam Medal: ArchiTeam Awards
Gold: Good Design Awards 
Shortlist: Dezeen Awards
Shortlist: Sustainable Building Awards
Commendation: The Design Files Awards
Shortlist: Sustainable Building Awards

Photography

Tess Kelly

Video

Sunlyt Studios

Sustainability

The Davison Collaborative is a case study on sustainable density, transforming one post war suburban dwelling into three fossil fuel free, 100% electric homes for the next generation.

Solar panels, sonnen battery technology, electric heat pumps for hot water and hydronic heating contribute to achieve 8+ out of 10 star NatHERS rating.

The residences each have a dual North-South aspect to promote cross ventilation and solar penetration to all habitable rooms costing less to heat and cool.

The residences champion passive design principles. The design orientated each home to open out to the north, ensuring optimal solar penetration to warm the house in winter, with external automated block out blinds to all north and west facing windows with cross ventilation and ceiling fans in place to cool the homes in summer.

The Davison Collaboration uses the Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) construction system to test a more efficient, alternative construction method. SIPs panels are a prefabricated, load bearing structural system that is flexible and quick to install. The panels present a number of benefits to create an energy efficient building envelopment, providing insulation that achieves an airtight building envelop and reduces heat loss and thermal bridging.

Binq tilt and turn high performance windows and doors are installed in each residence to enhance thermal insulation and provide effective cross ventilation cooling.

We partnered with Sonnen to install high performance battery technology that harnesses the power generated onsite by the rooftop solar panels, storing the energy ready for when residents need it in the evening.

We invested in Stiebel Eltron Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) active systems, combining system electric heat pumps for hot water and hydronic heating.

Caroma Smart Command technology is installed to monitor water usage via an app, with its leak detection system able to identity leaks early and prevent damage. Rainwater collection tanks are also installed in each residence to reduce the amount of water the homes draw from our water reserves.

The residences are constructed where possible with locally sourced, natural materials ensuring durability for low environmental impact and enduring long-term performance including recycled bricks and native hard wood timber cladding and veneer.

The front yard of the Davison Collaborative remains in shared ownership in order for the collaborators to best share in the value of the street frontage. The front yard also provides a shared space for the residents to come together and interact with each other and with the broader community. We hope to all share in working on the garden, and to give some extra green space back to the children and dogs in the Collaborative.

Awards and Recognition

Awards Logos 384 x 256px 0000 Victorian Premiers Design Awards
Awards Logos 384 x 256px 0001 HOUSES Awards
Awards Logos 384 x 256px 0002 Architizer
Awards Logos 384 x 256px 0003 Design Anthology
Awards Logos 384 x 256px 0004 Driven x Design
Awards Logos 384 x 256px 0006 The Urban Developer
Awards Logos 384 x 256px 0005 Architeam
Awards Logos 384 x 256px 0007 Good Design Awards
Awards Logos 384 x 256px 0008 Dezeen Awards
Awards Logos 384 x 256px 0009 Sustainability Awards