Design of a 3 story apartment building in the Melbourne Laneways with a concept store for Nike footwear located on the ground floor.

As a narrow laneway with few pedestrians this was a challenging brief - As well as every other concern to make apartments located in an alley with little sun enjoyable -How to gain the attention of people only 20 metres away on a busy street while you are tucked up an ally more used by drunks than people willing to part with their cash for some cool sneakers?

The building is like a tunnel with light at both ends. To take advantage of this each end façade uses a double skin system that steps back to maximise light entering the space. A light well is located in the centre with a stairwell and each apartment has a small deck which hinges of this.

Taking advantage of the double skin facade a large curtain is attached using a custom design fixture to the face of the building. Miniature turbines direct the winds breeze to the curtain creating a controlled billowing of the fabric engulfing the laneway and drawing attention to the small store down the lane.

At night, a series of LED cove lights embellish this effect while the fabric can be changed to co-ordinate with new product launches.

This project would carry on the conversion and re-use of the myriad of small laneways in Melbourne