One of the first Build to Rent (BTR) sector developments in Melbourne, Avion established CHT Architects as Australian BTR pioneers. The Avion user informed design sees communal amenities placed together at both ground plane where there is a live/work focus with co-working, meeting rooms, café and wine bar – and podium top which is a full wellness zone with gym, spa, yoga, saunas, and outdoor play. All specifically grouped to foster a sense of community for the building inhabitants.

The Avion architectural concept is drawn from Fishermans Bend’s rich history in aviation. Celebrating the technological advancements in this industry during the 1940’s, the project serves as a memory for the area’s past life. Taking cues from aircraft production and technological aerodynamic testing, the building aesthetic stirs memories of aircraft forms and fluid air movements to result in a building that creates a sense of movement through its subtle movements and play on light. The building articulation is further driven by its performance, with deep cuts offering higher levels of natural light to the interior and horizontal and vertical extensions which provide passive shading and enhanced levels of privacy.

Avion, located at 245 Normanby Road, South Melbourne is an easily accessible development consisting of commercial space at ground level, located beneath a sleeved podium with apartments to both main frontages and carparking in the centre of the podium. The 5 level podium and 35 level residential tower comprise a mix of one (1) and two (2) bedroom apartments, with adaptability for 3 bedroom apartments. Key communal spaces are dispersed through the building, with areas above the podium on Level 5 and further dedicated communal facilities located in the mid-levels, upper-levels and rooftop for the building inhabitants.