ERA was engaged by Housing Choices to seek a planning permit for an additional 65 dwellings at 1 Queens Walk, New Town.

The new development, an expansion of an iconic social housing complex near Cornelian Bay in Hobart, was designed by Cumulus Studio and balances heritage, individuality and reimagining communal spaces. The proposal was for two new residential blocks, containing 38 and 27 dwellings and drawing on the existing complex’s International Style architecture.

Looking beyond a repetitive aesthetic often aligned with social housing, the design centred the interiors of the one and two-bedroom apartments on a flexible design that allows for expressions of individuality by its residents. Outside, small entry niches provide tenants with opportunities to personalise entryways and encourage a sense of ownership while bringing vibrancy to the hallways. As the project is aimed at providing stable and affordable accommodation for vulnerable Tasmanians, the apartments’ design follows Liveable Housing Design Guidelines and includes elements such as generous passageways, step-free thresholds and accessible showers.

The project included a new visitor car park located on land owned by the City of Hobart, which also required landowner consent.

Key planning issues for the project included private open space, building height, dwelling density and car parking. Throughout the application ERA worked in collaboration with Housing Choices, Cumulus Studio, a team of subconsultants and the City of Hobart to ensure that requirements of the planning scheme were identified up-front and early, providing for a streamlined formal assessment process once submitted. 

The project is now under construction.