Eternity Life is a socially inclusive building that is 71% carbon neutral made from Simple Laminated Timber. The design’s inspiration has been taken from its surrounds and its external influences. Situated adjacent to Stoney Creek, an active waterway leading to Maribyrnong River, we drew inspiration from remnant buildings within the site’s proximity; a nod to the industrial past of Footscray. This idea drove the form and shape of the building, with the gable roof forms and timber cladding.

The site is landscaped by trees and inspiration was taken from the site’s existing natural environment including Stoney Creek. Designing for native trees and wildlife on the site support the project’s concept being ‘’in the shade of the tree, nature is eternal: eternity’’. Our desire was to create a place which captures past, present, and future. We aimed to create a place that both enhances the connection of residents to the local environment and extends beyond the boundaries of the site to provide a high level of social equity and to provide a sanctuary for people in the centre of an urban environment.

Each apartment has been thoughtfully designed to allow for spacious living and mobility. Of the sixty-one apartments, fifteen have been designed to accommodate people living with disability. Designed to be universally accessible the building creates apartments and homes for life for people with disabilities. The kitchens and cabinetry are designed for wheelchair access, electronics access through apartment are provided, ceilings for hospital-grade care devices, and an overall consideration for universal access to all common areas are some of the initiatives incorporated to help residents enjoy independent living.

Eternity Life is made of solid timber structure known as Simple Laminated Timber (SLT) and is clad in sustainably sourced hardwood timber. An independent Lifecycle Assessment concludes up front carbon emissions are reduced by 52% and embodied carbon reduced by 71%. This places Eternity Life ahead of the curve exceeding the World Green Building Council target of 40% of up-front carbon emissions by 2030.

Designed to minimise its environmental footprint and subsequent impact on site, we designed the building to occupy 50% of the land. Eternity Life resides respectfully within its natural surrounds of trees and water, encouraging connection between the building and the environment. The north side has been completed, whereas the south side has been granted to council as a community reserve as well as being gifted $50, 000 to complete the landscaping scheme approved. It was to be landscaped by council in April 2021, with landscaping been delayed by Council. On completion the site is to be recognized as “Land for Wildlife Approved”.