St David is a building that does not aim to stand apart from its neighbours, it instead draws from Fitzroy’s layered industrial and social history.

Nestled between Fitzroy’s renowned Rainbow Hotel and the transformed C.F. Rojo furniture factory, It is a building that engages in a spirited dialogue with its neighbouring landmarks yet carving out its own identity through thoughtful juxtaposition.

Its façade draws inspiration from the iconic Rojo Stools from the old neighbouring factory. The fluted façade pays homage to the curved form of the stool’s seat. Creating a striking architectural tectonic in response to the site’s context. Abstracted and modularised, this fluted expression wraps the building envelope, resulting in an elegant façade that harmoniously blends with its surroundings. The tectonic is simple and rich in effect, shifting with light and shadow throughout the day.

Large openings flood each unit with natural light. Perforated metal screening at street level allows for privacy for both residents and neighbours. The material palette of fluted concrete and perforated metal is chosen for durability and thermal performance as much as it is for aesthetics. A combination robust enough to earn its place in Fitzroy’s urban fabric.

Above street level, setbacks step the building back with purpose, creating terraced opportunities for planting that soften the upper form, reduce visual bulk and maintain a considered scale relative to the neighbourhood. These setbacks provide opportunities for integrated vertical landscaping – introducing texture and life to the facade.

The result is a building that contributes to St David Street as much as it shelters from it. Grounded in its context, deliberate in its execution, and a quietly confident addition to Fitzroy’s urban landscape.