Two Sisters

On the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation,
Nth Melbourne,
VIC
This home will be open for in-person tours on the 17th May 2026

About this home

A project for two sisters and their community, this collection of fourteen apartments and townhouses embodies Breathe’s values of thoughtful, sustainable and connected design.
Referencing the site’s industrial past, a saw-tooth hit-and-miss brick screen echoes the former warehouse and provides privacy between neighbours. Ten one-bedroom townhouses are located at ground floor as build-to-rent homes—compact yet generous in amenity, designed to support long-term living in a well-connected urban context.

At the heart of the project are two bespoke homes for the sisters, a music studio and two additional apartments. To the rear of the site, a once gated and neglected lane has been returned to the public realm and landscaped, providing a space for residents and neighbours to gather.

Sustainability underpins every design decision—an all-electric development, carbon-neutral brickwork, 40% cement reduction in concrete and 9-star average NatHERS energy rating.

Q & A

What motivated you to build or retrofit sustainably?
At Breathe, we use design as a weapon for good, and a tool to build a better future. We design built environments from a holistic, sustainable perspective: each project reconciles ecological and social impacts within the current economic climate. Breathe are change agents, advocating for the people in the cities where we live and work. We create spaces that are meaningful and accessible to everyone.
Back to 2026 Homes
Type: Apartment/flat
Project: New build
Architect: Breathe Architecture
Builder: Neverstop
Size: Apartment: 58m2 (Internally) + 8m2 (Outdoor)m²
Energy Rating: 8.7
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1

Sustainability Features

Building Materials & Envelope

Draught-proofing/air sealing
High-performance insulation
Double or triple-glazed windows
Sustainable or low-impact materials

Heating, Cooling and Ventilation

Passive heating/cooling (north-facing glazing, cross ventilation, thermal mass, shading, etc.)
Ceiling fans
Heat pump (reverse-cycle) heating/cooling

Energy and Appliances

Rooftop solar PV
Efficient lighting (LED, daylighting, solar skylights)
Heat pump hot water
Electric cooktop - induction/ceramic

Water & Waste Systems

Water-efficient fixtures
Rainwater tanks

Landscape & Biodiversity

Native garden
Edible garden

Climate Resilience

Heatwave

Accessible & Flexible Design Features

Design for flexible use
Design for multigenerational living or dual occupancy
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