French

A developer in Northcote saw an opportunity to create high performance, design led homes for inner north buyers who wanted sustainability without compromise. The market was looking for homes that performed well without relying on air conditioning or heating, respected the neighbourhood's character, and offered flexible space for working from home. The site on French Avenue, backing onto Rubie Thomson Reserve and walking distance to Station Street shops and Northcote High Street, gave buyers direct access to green space and local amenity. The challenge was creating homes that felt generous and private while delivering genuine environmental performance and lasting value.

Gidaya Group designed this sustainable development by prioritising solar access, thermal comfort, and material longevity. Each home is oriented to capture northern light in the main living zones, with generous eaves and thermal mass helping to stabilise internal temperatures year round. Double glazed windows and high performance insulation contribute to a 7.5 star energy rating, significantly reducing ongoing energy costs. Open plan living, dining, and kitchen areas with solid timber flooring connect directly to private landscaped courtyards, while a separate rear studio accessed by a custom designed spiral stair provides a quiet zone for remote work or guests. The exterior uses durable, low maintenance materials in a calm, neutral palette that sits comfortably within the established streetscape.

The result is homes that perform quietly in the background: thermally comfortable, low running costs, and built to last. Buyers get the inner north location and architectural character they're looking for, paired with the energy performance that lets a home age without becoming expensive to run.