Molonglo

NewActon is a neighbourhood built on the heritage grounds of Acton House, a late 1920s temporary housing facility built for newly arrived employees of the colonial capital.

We designed NewActon to do at a precinct scale what the Burley Griffins had planned to achieve for the city: gardens that deliver produce and respite to residents and visitors; nature and architecture collide; and the architectural envelope folds into flora and art.

NewActon is layered with seven buildings, interwoven with gardens, terraces and courtyards, and houses around 750 residents and 1200 workers. The precinct’s two final built editions speak volumes of the granularity of NewActon. The first is the Nishi building – a 16-level 220-apartment residential building joined to a 10-level commercial building, and one of Australia’s most radically sustainable buildings. On completion, in 2014, it had the largest collection of photovoltaic solar panels on the roof than any other building in Australia. The second is the little shed designed by Myles Chandler who operates the Goodspeed Bicycle Co. that is housed by this small, simple and beautiful structure. Completed in 2015, it is slowly being overgrown with plants, dissolving into the surrounding gardens.

In addition to residential and workspaces, NewActon has been home to hotels, restaurants, cinemas, cafes, a hair salon and a gallery.