Nightingale Leftfield by Kennedy Nolan is one of six zero carbon sustainable buildings at Nightingale Village in Melbourne’s inner north. Situated along Duckett Street and with a desirable, north-west aspect, the mixed-use development encompasses zero carbon sustainable private residences, communal spaces and Ima Pantry and Cafe – a sustainably focused, Japanese-inspired grocery store and eatery.
Leftfield’s layered palette of carbon neutral red bricks, red-tinted steel and concrete reflects Kennedy Nolan’s intuitive approach to colour and materiality, yet most enduring is the building’s exactness as a zero carbon sustainable development. As Director of Architecture Victoria Reeves shares, “for us, delivering good density is about finding real generosity within the plan, making small spaces work really hard and providing a lovely backdrop for residents to come in and put the layers of their own lives over the top.”
This sentiment rings true within each zero carbon sustainable apartment, where Fisher & Paykel appliances support the reductionist approach to interiors. An induction cooktop, oven, rangehood and DishDrawer recede, making way for minimalist dwellings with a high level of amenity. Further, the shared laundry space on the rooftop – which features a suite of Fisher & Paykel washing machines and dryers – supports the idea of community and provides residents with highly efficient appliances within a socially driven context.
The Village’s zero carbon sustainable pursuit was important to Ima Pantry and Cafe owner, Ako, who says, “[this] was the perfect site for Ima Project as we truly believe in the sense of community and sustainability.” Enjoyed by residents and neighbours alike, the cafe is a valuable addition to the Village. Similarly, Leftfield is an offering to the community and, deeply embedded in the values inherent to Nightingale Housing, it is a diligently conceived, zero carbon sustainable prototype for medium density housing.