Millar Merrigan - Land Development Consultants

With a land area of 8.3 ha, this former school site on Canterbury Road , Forest Hill, was converted to a medium density development of around 200 homes. The estate won the UDIA award for the best medium density development in Victoria in 1997.

Project Summary

With land area of 8.3 ha, this former school site on Canterbury Road, Forest Hill was converted to a medium density development of around 200 homes. The estate won the UDIA award for the best medium density development in Victoria in 1997.

Millar Merrigan undertook the Urban Design of the project utilising seven different house designs provided by Villaworld. The design built on the opportunities of the site and in particular the significant trees that existed. Following the preliminary design phase Millar Merrigan undertook the town planning including community consultation. Input from the surrounding community resulted in some design changes. Through this consultation the final design achieved acceptance of both the council and the community and received a planning permit without the need for a tribunal hearing. Areas of open space include communal BBQ’s which promote a community atmosphere. Laid out in a grid type arrangement the design provides for permeability that allows for different walking routes within the site and to the adjacent residential areas as well as to the nearby Forest Hills Shopping Centre.

Features & Innovation

Although this development is higher density than that of the surrounding area the elimination of front fences and landscaping gives an enhanced feeling of openness. This assists in helping this development sit well with the surrounding neighbourhood character. These features together with the Urban Design, Landscaping and particular attention to retention of significant trees were recognised by the UDIA judges who awarded this development the “Best Medium Density Development” in Victoria in 1997.

Urban Design

Millar Merrigan undertook the Urban Design of the project utilising seven different house designs provided by Villaworld. The design built on the opportunities of the site and in particular the significant trees that existed. Following the preliminary design phase Millar Merrigan undertook the town planning including community consultation. Input from the surrounding community resulted in some design changes. Through this consultation the final design achieved acceptance of both the council and the community and received a planning permit without the need for a tribunal hearing.

Landscape Architecture

Although this development is higher density than that of the surrounding area the elimination of front fences and landscaping gives an enhanced feeling of openness. The retention of native trees throughout the site provides an important visual element and gives the development a sense of history. In many areas existing trees have been incorporated into the design of open space areas and walkways creating wonderful spaces that also provide a buffer to surrounding houses. The large Pin Oak in the centre of the site used to nestle between school buildings in a paved courtyard. The site frontage to Canterbury Road is a steep embankment that has been attractively landscaped and now is a feature of the site.

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