The 3 and 5 storied buildings that make up 40 Brisbane Street house 35 spacious one and two bedroomed apartments. Built in the city centre, a desirable location for social housing, the surrounding precinct offers all the advantages of easy access to the services and amenities of an inner city location. Responding to context, a delicate timber screen – 4 stories in height – presents an uncompromising southern facade to the urban environment below. To the north the form breaks open creating a central light filled courtyard inviting sun, health and well being into the heart of the scheme. The project incorporates a number of cost effective environmental initiatives. These include recycling of storm water, energy efficiency, solar hot water storage and material conservation.