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Tarakan Street Social and Affordable Housing

Designing Dignity Through Architecture

Introduction

The Tarakan Street Social and Affordable Housing project is a landmark development in West Heidelberg, Victoria, led by Homes Victoria in collaboration with Bird de la Coeur Architects and NHarchitects. As part of the Victorian Government’s Big Housing Build—a $5.3 billion initiative to deliver over 12,000 new homes—the project reflects a commitment to inclusive, tenure-blind housing that prioritizes resident wellbeing, community connection, and architectural integrity.

Project Information

Client
Architect
Brick Inlay

Project Status: Completed

Project location: West Heidelberg, VIC, Australia

Brick Inlay technology and Construction Innovation

The Tarakan Street project incorporates Form Brick’s advanced brick inlay technology to deliver facades that are both durable and visually refined. Instead of traditional masonry, brick facings (brick snaps) are embedded directly into precast concrete panels using custom Santoprene form liners developed by Form Brick.

This solution offers a range of advantages:

  • Faster construction and reduced labor costs
  • Zero-maintenance exterior surfaces
  • Precision brick placement

 Resistance to staining and deterioration from weather elements. With brick inlay, the project achieves the architectural charm of brickwork while ensuring long-term performance and construction efficiency. Tarakan Street stands as a testament to how Form Brick is redefining urban facade design—where aesthetic ambition is easily achieved.

Architecture and Landscape Integration

The development comprises 130 dwellings across three distinct building types:

  • A cluster of townhouses at the northern end
  • A three-storey apartment building
  • A six-storey apartment building to the south

These buildings are arranged within a carefully designed landscape fabric that offers varying degrees of privacy and accessibility. Residents enjoy:

  • Semi-private community gardens
  • Public parks with playgrounds and BBQ facilities
  • Views and access to green open spaces

Preserving existing Spotted Gum trees was central to the landscape strategy, providing shade and framing both private and public outdoor areas.

Resident-Centric Design

Every aspect of the design centers on resident experience:

  • Low key-to-entry ratios foster small communities within each building.
  • Tenure-blind apartments ensure social and affordable housing are indistinguishable, minimizing social stratification.
  • Ground floor privacy solutions include wedge-shaped landscape berms and operable shuttered screens.
  • Wide, shallow apartment footprints maximize natural light and ventilation.
  • Post-construction flexibility allows units to adapt to changing resident needs.

Workspaces & Community Opportunities

Tarakan Street fosters community through shared outdoor spaces, thoughtful building orientation, and inclusive design. It serves as a model for how social housing can be both functional and uplifting.

Conclusion

The Tarakan Street Social and Affordable Housing project exemplifies how architecture can support dignity, inclusion, and sustainability. While rooted in traditional brick construction, it aligns with the innovation seen in Form Brick’s brick inlay systems—merging strength, beauty, and efficiency. Together, these approaches show how thoughtful design can shape better living environments for all.

Photo by Form Brick and NH Architecture.

Shaping Architectural Brilliance in Brick.​

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