Gamuda Land bring first-to-market sustainability innovations to South Melbourne's The Canopy

International property developer Gamuda Land is bringing first-to-market sustainability innovations to its South Melbourne apartment development, The Canopy.

Built-in energy harvesting technology as well as a micro-forest urban park are set to redefine sustainable living as well as reduce hot water bills for its residents.

Located at 272 Normanby Road, The Canopy on Normanby will be home to Melbourne’s first Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) with an energy pile system in a residential setting. The GSHP is set to generate five to 10 per cent of the building's energy requirements.

The project will be home to additional carbon-reducing infrastructure such as the 86KW PV solar rooftop system, an on-site rainwater harvesting system including a 35kL rainwater tank, circular economy inbuilt recycling infrastructure, and EV charging with onsite car, scooter and bike sharing.

Gamuda Land General Manager Jarrod Tai said the group is utilising the expertise of their global counterparts to bring sustainable energy solutions to Melbourne. 

"Onsite renewables are predicted to save residents more than $27,156 cost saving per annum on electricity bills, a reduction of roughly $130 per apartment," Tai said.

"We understand the ongoing struggle for individuals and families as energy costs continue to rise. It is extremely important that we develop these ways to reduce costs for future residents, while significantly decreasing our carbon footprint,” Tai said. 

Gamuda Land has appointed architectural firm Hayball Architects, landscape designers OCULUS, sustainability consultants HIP V HYPE, not-for-profit vegetation experts The Heart Gardening Project, Miyawaki forest makers SUGi and Indigenous urban design advisors MURRI : YUL to collaborate on the delivery of the project.

The teams will assist in restoring the biodiversity of the original pre-urbanised site, including Melbourne’s first Miyawaki forest in a residential setting as part of a new 3,000 sqm community park that proposes the permanent closure of neighbouring Johnson Street. These innovations will further complement the development’s efforts of achieving a 5 Star Green Star Rating and 7.5 Average NatHERS rating.

Underpinned by its biophilic design principles, the project will feature three distinct green spaces that are seamlessly integrated through a central biophilic spine that connects the park frontage to its rooftop eco-deck. Japanese-inspired Onsen spas and alfresco entertaining will create a space for residents to relax and connect in their private oasis, indulging in the soothing warm waters while experiencing breathtaking views of Melbourne’s city skyline and Port Phillip Bay.

The reintroduction of endemic and native species throughout the development’s greenery will establish a resilient, climate-adaptive design that focuses on restoring the site’s pre-colonial ecology.

Incorporating elements of the typical Australian backyard, residents will have access to the podium levels lawns, garden beds and herbs grown in communal garden bowls.

Cascading terraces will flow down the space to meet the ground floor gardens and forest where a range of A-grade retail, food and beverage options will occupy the street level.

The extensive commitment to green space also contributes to Gamuda Land’s environmental initiative to plant one million trees by 2023. To date, Gamuda Land has successfully nurtured 612,072 trees in its advanced tree-planting nurseries across the world.

The Canopy on Normanby’s 213 apartments will feature a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $475,000. Interior designs take their inspiration from nature and holistic wellness to create a calming neutral palette that incorporates stone, timber and rich textures.

Apartment depths have been consciously limited to allow for extra natural light and ventilation, which delivers high levels of daylight penetration to 95 per cent of apartment living and bedroom spaces. Private balconies will extend the open living areas with windows carefully placed to ensure crossflow ventilation and prioritise outdoor space for each resident.

Hayball Director Bianca Hung said they used a clean, calming palette of materials for the project. 

“Our goal was to create the perfect balance between the natural and the built form, creating open, bright and functional spaces that complement the project's biophilic design with generous balconies that will provide panoramic views of the surrounding greenery”, Hung said. 

The new development will help address Melbourne’s growing population and the increased demand for apartment living with 213 apartments across twenty storeys and will be in the rapidly evolving Fishermans Bend precinct, known as Australia’s largest urban renewal project.

Construction on the project is expected to commence in mid-2023 with anticipated completion by Autumn 2025.