Alexander Dowey

The purpose of social homes in Preston is to provide occupants with a naturally ventilated flat with operable shading. Our site is fortunate in its proximity to public transit, allowing the site to be predominantly housing, rather than parking. Flats are divided into three sizes, increasing with additional bedrooms, and are stacked, 5 floors high across the width of the site. Each living/eating room faces north. The living room functions as the balcony, with an internal balustrade, and sliding doors, which is shaded by 600mm of horizontal awning, and a vertical transparent veil that is operable. Entrances line Stokes St, into a colonnade featuring mailboxes, a café and community storage, with water tanks harvesting storm and grey water from the building at the far end. Systems in the building are designed so that it can be self-sufficient in keeping occupants comfortable through all seasons.