Sustainability Meets Community
“The design is half the size of a one bedroom apartment. It’s meant to be half the price, and it is designed to have half the operational carbon and ideally, half the bills”, begins Jeremy McLeod. The co-founder and design director at Breathe Architecture is painting a picture of a small-footprint unit within a project by Nightingale Housing, a not-for-profit organisation – of which he is also a co-founder. Nightingale is dedicated to delivering homes that are socially, financially, and environmentally sustainable and, to date, has completed over 20 projects with more on the way.
This half-the-size, half-the-impact unit lives within Nightingale Preston, a recently completed build located just seven kilometers from Melbourne’s city center. Home to 55 apartments, a guest house shared by all residents, and two commercial spaces, the development includes 25 two-bedroom apartments, 20 one-bedroom apartments, and 7 compact Teilhaus lofts. But what makes it truly special are the added communal spaces and amenities designed for residents to use beyond their homes. “Nightingale was designed to be housing that is affordable, sustainable and that promotes community,” explains McLeod. However, it’s more than just thoughtful design and a real-world example of sustainability in action – it happens to look good too.
At Home inside a Teilhaus
Aptly named after the German word for “part of house” – Teilhaus – these compact studios make the most of their 28 sqm/301sqft footprint by extending daily living beyond their walls. In fact, a key part of the home’s design is based on the idea of embracing shared spaces, such as the rooftop where you can find community garden beds, a dining area, extra storage space, a bathhouse, and shared laundry facilities. All of these details were carefully considered and built with purpose.
Nightingale resident Jam Taylor’s Teilhaus proves how effectively these ideas translate into everyday living. Stepping inside, the apartment unfolds with a striking 4.5-meter-high ceiling, amplifying the sense of volume and light. The open-plan layout includes a well equipped and streamlined kitchen, a cosy living area, and a versatile nook, which Taylor customized into a study. Rather than providing fixed furniture or shelving, Breathe Architecture embraced flexibility, inviting residents to personalize their space. Taylor infused a sense of warmth into the apartment with a beautiful mid-century unit mounted on the wall of the living area. McLeod points out, “We love the way it doesn’t touch the ground, so it draws your eye up, it also feels spacious underneath.”
A Cohesive Material Palette
“We think through the design from a functionality point of view. We think through the materials from a sustainability and a usability point of view”, McLeod notes. This thinking extends to Nightingale’s selection of durable, no-fuss materials. The kitchen features a mix of stainless steel and MDF. Selected for their recyclability, these materials ensure that any future renovations will also be sustainable. The same can be said for the pre-finished cork flooring running throughout the space. It’s durable, biodegradable and helps reduce waste; it’s a choice that’s as practical as it is sustainable.
The same functional approach extends to the bathroom, where materials were selected to add warmth and texture. Australian made brick tiles run from floor to ceiling, creating a sense of height and cohesion in the space. A floating vanity frees up floor space, while a mirrored cabinet adds plenty of storage without feeling bulky. Rather than hide the ceiling’s lower height, the bathroom showcases its timber joists as a design feature.
Building for People, Place and Planet
Sustainability and affordability are at the heart of Nightingale’s mission, but its true magic unfolds in the hands of its residents. It is their presence, their ideas, and the way they shape these spaces that ultimately bring the vision to life.
“This is not for everyone,” explained McLeod, “but I do think that we need to be offering something that is different from a broken system. To offer someone access to housing security. This is one of our small attempts to try to drive some positive change in a very very tough economic climate.” Nightingale Preston speaks to the need to look ahead, to design consciously for the climate and for community. To, quite simply, build homes for the future.
