Whitlam Place is a minimalist residence located in Melbourne, Australia, designed by Freadman White. Whitlam Place is conceived as a solid form resting atop a podium of light-filled transparency; balancing material weight against structural lightness, presence against permeability. Inspired by the classical proportions of the nearby Fitzroy Town Hall, Whitlam Place offers a dynamic interpretation of its fluted Corinthian columns and rich architectural detail. A copper oxide finish applied to the concrete exterior creates depth and compelling colour variation, as green and bronze tones subdue the material’s solidity, aided by the textures of layered vertical greenery.

Each of the eleven apartments has a different personality, suiting the needs of the variety of occupants. With the majority of the owner-occupiers being downsizers looking for a lifestyle of convenience, floor plans have been modified to suit favorite furniture pieces, including a baby grand piano. Whitlam Place is conceived as a solid form resting boldly atop a podium of light-filled transparency; a formal expression that holds the physical bounds of its site through a strong sense of European urbanity. Reflecting on the influential works of these earlier architects, both in the Antipodes and beyond, we respond with a design that fosters and enhances the social, cultural and historical qualities that this inner-city site has to offer. This boutique collection of apartments, through its nuanced and highly detailed design, will contribute to the lives of its residents and the wider ecology of Fitzroy and its surrounds.

Photography by Gavin Green