In Melbourne’s Brunswick suburb, the Davison Collaborative housing project successfully transformed a single postwar brick veneer property into three sustainable, three-bedroom family townhouses, according to reports published in September 2026. The development trebled the lot’s density and was designed by Hip V. Hype and local architects to future-proof the site for at least the next 50 years.
Origins of the Davison Collaborative in Brunswick
Teaming up with Liam Wallis and Peter Steele from the sustainability-focused property development consultancy Hip V. Hype, Gilbert helped purchase a past-its-prime property in 2020 to test an alternative model for urban housing affordability and community-oriented living.
According to The Guardian, the initiative required pooling both time and finances among the participating families to navigate local council subdivision regulations and manage construction. The land acquisition cost approximately $1.2 million, while construction totaled roughly $1.5 million, with expenses split evenly among the households involved.
Design Features and Sustainable Living
The resulting townhouses incorporate several eco-friendly and energy-efficient design elements to lower individual environmental impact and operational costs.
This structural layout fosters high daily interaction reminiscent of earlier decades. Chris Gilbert noted in The Guardian that simple neighborhood exchanges—such as borrowing eggs or sharing freshly baked brownies—happen organically within the collaborative framework due to the close proximity of the three dwellings.
Comparing Traditional and Collaborative Housing Models
Collaborative housing models differ significantly from standard suburban developments in financial distribution, density, and community engagement:
| Aspect | Traditional Housing | Collaborative Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher per unit | Lower due to shared land and construction costs |
| Density | Lower | Higher, replacing single homes with multi-unit dwellings |
| Community | Less daily interaction | Strong bonds formed through shared spaces |
| Sustainability | Varies by builder | Often high, utilizing passive solar and eco-materials |
Future Outlook for Urban Density Projects
As housing prices remain high across metropolitan Australian markets, developments like the Davison Collaborative provide a blueprint for addressing urban sprawl without sacrificing architectural quality or energy efficiency. By increasing lot density and establishing shared infrastructure, similar grassroots initiatives offer viable pathways to homeownership for families locked out of traditional auctions.
Worth a look