Melbourne: 10 March 2004
Plans for the renovation of two single storey brick terrace houses built in 1866, and in what could be considered the renovation challenge of the year, will be unveiled today by Archicentre.

Mr Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre said, "The Terraces, a $1.5 million Year of the Built Environment project by Archicentre in partnership with the Building Commission and the City of Melbourne, provides a major opportunity to promote and demonstrate good design, five star sustainability and healthy residential building."

Exterior of the property in Carlton

The project has also been designed to demonstrate best building practice including waste management and health and safety on the worksite.

Mr Caulfield said, "With Melbourne and its suburbs undergoing continual change including heritage areas, it is important that building design and construction is compatible with heritage controls whilst also providing opportunities for innovation."

The two attached terrace houses purchased by Archicentre two years ago have had two unique separate designs prepared by local architects Chris McSteen and Terence Nott, which have now received town planning approval from the City of Melbourne.

Victoria's Building Commissioner Mr Tony Arnel said that an extensive national communication program including a live web cam, a daily Architects' diary and a series of fact sheets to be developed to provide the community with valuable information on renovation which complements the Building Commissions consumer and owner builder awareness program.

"The Terraces project will provide local government and people wanting to renovate with a major source of useful information and strategies to plan and undertake well designed renovations."

Interior of the Carlton property

Lord Mayor of Melbourne, John So said, "The Terraces project provides a practical demonstration of environmentally sustainable design, accessibility and use of 'smart' technology in the home."

"The City of Melbourne has many heritage areas where renovation is taking place and older homes are being transformed. We are committed to retaining Melbourne's residential history and picturesque streetscapes whilst encouraging innovative and sustainable design."

The Terraces
Fast Facts
Archicentre
Year of the Built Environment Project
Location: Carlton
Single Storey Terraces built in 1866
Condition: in poor condition and in need of total renovation.
Architects:
Terrace 1 - Elgin Street Carlton - Chris McSteen
Terrace 2 - Elgin Street Carlton - Terence Nott
Planning approval obtained from the City of Melbourne
Tenders are now being prepared.
Appointment of builders early May
Construction expected to begin mid May
Lock up anticipated mid August
Finish Date late October
Auction 27th November 2004
Note plans, sketches and photographs are available.

Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith
Archicentre Corporate Media Communications
0417 329 201

The Terraces
The Terraces - an Archicentre project in partnership with the Building Commission and the City of Melbourne.