Description

Once a Brunswick landfill, now a thriving pocket of homes and green space—Heller Street Park & Residences flips the script on urban living. Designed by Six Degrees Architects with planning by Hansen Partnership, this project, completed in 2011, turns a neglected site into a case study of community-minded housing.

Ten family homes stand alongside a public park, with private terraces spilling into shared green space. There are no fences, just a natural flow between where people live and where they come together. A sustainable design with natural ventilation, efficient energy and a focus on long-term liveability, this project asks big questions: How can architecture create community? How do we balance housing density with access to open space? Heller Street is a real-world answer; an experiment in urban living that prioritises people over property lines.

What's On

Join Hansen Partnership’s Damian Iles and Six Degrees’ James Legge for a walk through one of Brunswick’s most unexpected transformations from former tip site to award-winning community. Designed over 15 years ago and now lived in by its architects and planners, Heller Street combines sustainable medium-density housing with revitalised public space. Tour the site, explore one of the townhouses, and hear firsthand how thoughtful urban planning and design created a neighbourhood where shared and private life coexist. Enjoy this rare opportunity to revisit a benchmark project and reflect on how good design continues to shape how we live.

Children's Activities

Expansive outdoor greenspace offers a play area for children before, during and after tours. 

Presenters

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  Damian Iles

  Since late 2024, Damian has led Hansen Partnership as managing director, bringing over 27 years of experience in town planning. A fearless and frank advocate for innovative and sustainable housing and resident of 1 Heller Street, Brunswick, Damian is deeply invested in housing solutions that prioritise sustainability and community impact.

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  James Legge

  James is a founding director of Six Degrees Architects. With a passion for community-minded and sustainable housing, he has led numerous award-winning Melbourne projects. He has taught at the University of Melbourne, served on AIA awards juries and is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.