The Monash Student Housing Complex has just received the first Australian multi-residential Green Star Rating for sustainable construction. The construction has performed top in its class, also receiving a Royal Institute of British Architects International Award and The Victorian Architecture Award for Multiple Housing earlier in the year.

Designed by BVN Architecture, the Monash University Student Housing Complex is the first University project to be completed under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) which was established as part of the nation building fund formed in response to the Global Financial Crisis that required residential units to rent out at 20% below the market rate.

As a former international student, I can empathise at how isolating dormitory style accommodation can be, especially in a foreign country. As such, a major design element was to create a sense of community and collegiality. This was achieved by designing two wings of five levels that inflect towards each other in a boomerang type plan. At the conjuncture on each level are spacious communal zones which function are essential hubs for students to interact and develop their social skills. There are also extra communal spaces per 30 students, creating a transparency to counteract feelings of isolation and loneliness. However, we can’t also neglect how important privacy is to a student. This is why the rooms are single and fully self-contained, independent spaces. The apartment modules are 20m2 and contain a kitchenette, ensuite and combined living and sleeping area. An atmosphere of spaciousness is created through extensive floor to ceiling windows and exposed ceilings.

The Green Star Rating was awarded due to various ecologically sustainable features. The complex encompasses a 2,000m2 solar panel, one of the largest residential solar installations in the country. In addition, all roof rainwater is collected and stored in a 100,000 litre tank and grey water from baths, showers and kitchen sinks is also collected, cleaned, stored and reused for toilet flushing and irrigation.

The Monash Student Housing Complex has acquired merit on its environmental sustainability and its clever student-oriented design. It is surely an inspiration on the dwellers, to achieve as much.

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