Carbon neutral residences set to make their way to Melbourne’s bayside

Slate House is set to become one of bayside’s first carbon neutral property developments in operations, brought to the market by Lucent – the developer which helped to pave the way for environmentally sustainable housing in Melbourne’s inner-north.

With the popularity of sustainable living in areas such as Brunswick East and Collingwood, including Lucent’s Lt. Miller and Nightingale Brunswick East projects, the developer has plans to bring its ecological principals to a premium collection of residences in Brighton.

To achieve its high-performance, the development of just 14 apartments will use an all-renewable embedded energy network to deliver a building that operates free from fossil fuels.

Lucent managing director Panos Miltiadou says he plans to translate his sustainable development principals to a more luxury end of the market.

“We’ve been really excited to bring some of the learnings from our projects in Melbourne’s inner-north to Brighton. The wave of sustainable development has been so successful there, so much so it’s now become somewhat expected from apartment buyers,” says Miltiadou.

“We plan to deliver a collection of high-quality, premium homes with environmental integrity – we really believe this is what the upper-end of the market is looking for. They want homes that combine refined design and functionality, while also treading lightly upon the earth. Slate House will demonstrate that luxury and sustainability are not mutually exclusive.”

Strengthening the shift away from fossil fuel usage, gas is not connected to Slate House, with kitchens featuring induction cooktops instead.

The development also achieves a minimum NatHERS rating of 7.5 stars, which far exceeds the Brighton average of 5.5 stars. A scheme which measures a home’s energy efficiency based on design, all new developments in Victoria must achieve a minimum NatHERS average of six stars.

“To date, there haven’t been any new developments in Melbourne’s bayside that take this kind of integrated approach to luxury and sustainability, so we wanted to deliver a fresh alternative,” explains Miltiadou.

“We want to show buyers that sustainability does not mean you have to compromise on good design or a luxury living experience.”

Designed by acclaimed architectural practice Austin Maynard Architects, Slate House comprises eight two-bedroom and six three-bedroom apartments, spread across three levels. The design will feature natural, robust and raw materials throughout, with double-glazed windows orientated to maximise the opportunity to passive heating and cooling of homes.

“Slate House adapts the best parts of traditional Brighton homes – beautiful tiled roofs, robust materials and lush gardens – yet takes away the inefficiencies, the sprawl and the high maintenance,” says Miltiadou.

Winner of New Development Player of the Year at the Annual REA Excellence Awards (AREAs) in 2018, Lucent is known for working with buyers to create community and leave a site better than they found it.

With an emphasis on quality and transparency in design, purchasers will be involved throughout the development’s construction.

Located in the heart of Brighton on the corner of 7 Bleazby Avenue and 51 Male St, residents at Slate House will be able to enjoy the nearby beachside, as well as amenities and transport connections along the Church St shopping precinct.

Slate House will cater to the growing number of buyers in the Brighton area, both young families and older downsizers, looking for well-designed, sustainable homes.

“As developers we have a responsibility to adapt our practices and find new ways to limit the impact on the natural environment. Aligned to deliver high-quality buildings, we have ensured that ecologically sustainable design is woven throughout this project,” Miltiadou adds.

Pre-sales have begun at Slate House, with the formal launch taking place in February 2020.

Lucent has recently launched another sustainable apartment development in Brunswick East, The Stewart Collective, which is 2o per cent sold within a month of being on the market. The developer is also on the cusp of completing its sold-out Lt. Miller and Nightingale Brunswick East development on Nicholson Street.

slatehouse.com.au