Johnston Street Residences is a proposed residential development in Melbourne’s inner north, located on the prominent corner of Johnston Street and Hoddle Street. The project occupies an amalgamated site spanning the full block frontage and responds to the scale and intensity of one of the city’s busiest arterial corridors.
MAP Architects were engaged to redesign an existing approved scheme that was no longer feasible, transforming it into a more efficient and viable residential development. The revised proposal increases yield while strengthening the building’s urban response and residential amenity.
Our Role
MAP Architects led the full redesign of the project, including building form, façade composition and apartment planning.
Working within the approved planning framework, the scheme was reconfigured to increase yield by approximately 35% while extending the building by two additional storeys. The revised design improves efficiency, livability and overall building performance while maintaining compliance with planning controls.
Collaboration
MAP Architects were recommended by the project manager, with whom we have a long-standing working relationship. This enabled the team to quickly reposition the project and align it with current market conditions.
Working closely with the client and consultant team, the project has evolved into a more viable and resilient residential development while maintaining a strong architectural response to its prominent inner-city location.
Design Approach
The design responds directly to the site’s dual conditions — the high-intensity character of Hoddle Street and the finer residential scale of adjoining side streets.
To manage this, the building mass is carefully articulated to present as five separate buildings unified by a central podium, achieved through variations in materiality and façade expression. This approach reduces perceived scale and creates a more refined streetscape outcome.
The building steps down towards the side streets and rear boundaries, providing a more sensitive interface to neighbouring lower density residential properties while maintaining a strong presence along Hoddle Street.
At ground level, a public throughfare is introduced, forming an activated arcade that improves pedestrian connectivity across the block. This space is designed to support retail and café uses, contributing to the vibrancy of the precinct.
Upper levels are strategically set back to reduce visual bulk and enhance access to light, views and landscaped outlooks. The development also incorporates strong Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) principles, supporting long-term building performance and residential comfort.
Key Features
Building articulated to read as five separate volumes with a central podium
Contextual response stepping down to adjacent residential streets
Ground-level public arcade improving pedestrian connectivity
Upper-level setbacks providing improved views and amenity
Strong ESD performance and sustainable design strategy
