388 Barkly Street is a collection of 11 sustainable apartments led by DREAMER, in collaboration with Breathe Architecture. The project is an adaptive reuse of a c.1930 brick warehouse encouraging sustainable, small-footprint living.

With the increasing densification of inner suburban areas, 388 Barkly Street aimed to create a generous and high quality variation of multi-residential housing that could offer an attractive alternative to the suburban family home.

The new building addition sits sensitively within the preserved brick shell and is composed of two volumes separated by a landscaped external atrium, with double-height voids and planted courts bringing natural light and interest to the interior spaces.

At occupant level, the project focuses on creating a diverse community that supports low energy, low waste, sustainable and healthy lifestyles. Strategies include employing biophilic design, with strong connections to extensive planting, providing multiple waste streams, and encouraging the use of EVs and bicycles.

Key sustainability features include a large solar array, electric charging available to all car spaces, 100% Green Energy via an embedded network, centralised hot water, all electrical appliances (no gas), sun shading to northern windows, a large central bike garage (with maintenance facilities), rainwater collection and water efficient appliances, and a high performing thermal envelope with an average NatHERS rating of 7.5.

Barkly Street is a collaboration with Breathe Architecture for Outside In.