Peakhurst Apartments is an exploration of high quality affordable housing utilising a robust material palette to settle the development into its residential surroundings. The main façade stretches along Lawrence St, employing dark bricks to frame the horizontal extents of the building. In direct contrast, the intermediary levels feature a lighter brick to elevate the vertical pavilion forms, cantilevered over the street entrances. With an 8 Star NatHERS design rating, the apartments provide high levels of energy efficiency to their occupants. The 39 units are oriented north, east and west, with apartment depths reduced to share daylight access equitably across the site. Layouts ensure comfortable circulation and privacy to each room. The depth of Peakhurst Apartments’ balconies support not only a usable balcony space, but an increased sense of privacy and improvement in passive solar performance. Floor plates extend well past the living line, blocking harsh summer sun and allowing winter sun to penetrate the interior spaces.