9 May 2025

The slightly famous K2 public housing in Raleigh Street, just off the south end of St Kilda Road. It was designed by @designinc_melb, completed in 2007, one of the first new big public housing projects since the early 80s, and won a lot of awards, mainly for the extensive sustainability features.

Ive always thought it looked a bit odd though, with those angled balcony fronts, very closed off, then rooms up the top that have windows that lean down. Thats mostly explained by the sun control angles, plus providing privacy since one block faces the back of the other. It’s got a big landscaped area in front, with trees that now largely obscure it, and also has a verandah thing with lots of interpretation panels, I guess in case anyone is wondering why it looks like it does. It’s quite a contrast to all the current public housing projects, which are all rather blocky, and don’t seem to be designed with sun angles in mind, but I’m sure they’re all well insulated. Last 3 pics from the internet.

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