The Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation provided a yarn on the meaning of the name: ‘Balam balam, meaning butterfly in Woi-wurrung, symbolises beauty, transformation, creativity, and the strength of community. It embodies the spirit of unity and the freedom to imagine and create together.’  

The site will also have a new address – previously addressed as 33 Saxon Street, Balam Balam Place is now located at 15 Phoenix Street. 

Development of Balam Balam Place continues and will include dedicated spaces for Maternal and Child Health services, multi-purpose community rooms and commercial office spaces as well as improved connection through to the Brunswick Baths. 

First Nations gallery Blak Dot Gallery will continue operating at the newly constructed site, bridging the past and present, and fostering pride in First Nations presenting arts and culture enriched by Indigenous ways of knowing. 

These Are The Projects We Do Together have been engaged as the Precinct Manager of Balam Balam Place and are responsible for programming, tenancy management and day-to-day operations. 

15 Phoenix Street, Brunswick Victoria

3,576 m2 gross floor area occupying a site of 4,420 m2

2327 m2 office Net Leasable Area (NLA), 63 m2 retail NLA

Main Contractor – McCorkell Constructions 

Architect – Kennedy Nolan 

ESD Consultant – Finding Infinity 

Landscaping Consultant – Openwork 

Planning – Urbis 

Project Manager – DCWC 

Merri-bek City Council issued the planning permit in January 2023. The Sustainability Management Plan was endorsed 18 June 2024.

BESS score 77% 

This project has been assessed against the Elevating ESD Targets objectives and standards. It is considered to have met all the standards in the following categories. 

The proposed development exceeds minimum energy standards through a high-performing, all-electric design that avoids gas and fossil fuels entirely.  

The existing low window-to-wall ratio and extensive balcony shading are retained and enhanced with facade upgrades, targeting a 30% reduction in annual heating and cooling loads compared to Section J compliance.  

A ~94kW rooftop solar PV system is integrated with the electrical infrastructure to maximise onsite renewable energy generation and consumption, supported by efficient heat pump hot water and HVAC systems. 

Lighting and appliances throughout the building will meet best-practice efficiency targets, with daylight and occupancy sensors in common areas. 

The development demonstrates strong alignment with Integrated Water Management standards, achieving a 35% reduction in potable water use and a 58% reduction in overall water flow through high-efficiency WELS-rated fixtures and fittings. A 44,000L rainwater tank services toilet flushing and irrigation, supported by moisture sensors, leak detection, and automated, efficient irrigation systems. Native and drought-tolerant landscaping has been selected, irrigation is retained which enhances resilience and cooling. The building also minimises potable water use in HVAC systems and during fire system testing, and achieves a 100% STORM score,  meeting best practice stormwater quality objectives. 

The proposed development achieves a Green Factor score of 0.64, exceeding the minimum. Vegetation is integrated across 28% of the site, including a large eastern lawn, gardens around Sherwood House, and distributed planter boxes, contributing to habitat creation, urban cooling, and biodiversity enhancement. The landscape design incorporates both canopy and understory planting with native and climate-resilient species, supporting long-term resilience to climate change. Over 2,000m² of high-quality outdoor public space is provided supporting access to green space.

The development demonstrates an integrated approach to thermal comfort, natural ventilation, daylight access, and material selection. A mixed-mode ventilation strategy is supported by heat recovery ventilation (HRV), a high-performing airtight envelope, and thermally efficient glazing, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. The development has been designed to optimise natural light, with daylight modelling demonstrating 33% of regular use areas achieving a daylight factor >2%. This is  complemented by efficient LED lighting and daylight sensors. All internal finishes and furnishings are low-toxicity, meeting stringent VOC and formaldehyde standards, with insulation materials selected for zero ozone depletion potential. 

The building operates under a comprehensive waste management strategy that supports the separation, storage, and responsible disposal of a wide range of waste streams.  

Organic food waste is primarily managed onsite via commercial worm farms, with a supplementary collection service in place to handle any overflow.  

Green waste generated through landscape maintenance is managed and disposed of by the appointed contractor.  

Hard waste services are provided by a private contractor under the management of the operator. A dedicated 240L e-waste bin is located within the waste storage area, with regular collection arranged by a private contractor in accordance with Victorian regulations. Secure document disposal is facilitated via the on-site loading bay, arranged as needed by individual tenants in consultation with building management.  

In line with the project’s sustainability commitments, at least 90% of construction and demolition waste was recycled or reused during the build, significantly reducing landfill impact and supporting circular economy outcomes. 

The project also has exemplary design outcomes in the following categories:

The development implemented several design initiatives to reduce the embodied carbon of the development. Emphasis was made on retaining and re-using the existing structure, including retrofitting ‘Sherwood House’ and utilising other key existing structures across the site. Material selection also focussed on durability and longevity, while also implementing low-embodied carbon selections such as Durra Panel products, 30% reduction in cement through flyash substitute, recycled bricks recovered onsite. 

A Life cycle assessment was completed, demonstrating a 7.7% reduction in embodied carbon, compared to a base case scenario.