Featured in Broadsheet, Rothelowman Principal Chris Hayton on the green oasis, Stonepine House.

With six lockdowns under our belt and the uptake of working-from-home now commonplace, the desire for open-air green spaces within walking distance is more attractive than ever. A new development nestled in the heart of Moonee Ponds is embracing that shift, with a focus on biophilic connectivity and the health benefits it can offer.

Named after the two majestic 125-year old stone pine trees onsite, Stonepine House is a residential development in Moonee Ponds surrounded by 1,500sqm of landscaped green spaces – bringing all the calming effects of nature to your front door.

The third stage of Moonee Valley Park’s $2.5 billion residential precinct, Stonepine House continues the overarching botanical narrative set by its predecessors, seamlessly blending design with the surrounding natural environment. “Stonepine House shares the same DNA as Thomas Street and Feehan Row, through the distinct detail of the brick colonnade which grounds the building,” says Chris Hayton, principal at the development’s architecture firm, Rothelowman. “We have chosen materials like stone, timber and brickwork to maintain a tactile, yet modern design throughout.

Despite its ultra-urban and connected location in Moonee Ponds, Stonepine House looks and feels like an oasis. Stonepine Square on the doorstep takes cues from European piazzas and is designed as a hub for community connections. The adjacent Maple Walk is a corridor of botanical greenery leading to the wider neighbourhood, before tailing off to parklands.

Surrounded by ferns and

lush vegetation, the dedicated Residents’ Garden alongside Stonepine House is a secluded nature sanctuary and restorative retreat. Within the wider Moonee Valley Park precinct, each botanical space has its own distinct identity inspired by the site’s natural microclimates. Plants were selected based on each site’s positioning, shading and seasonal interest to create a neighbourhood that supports the natural biodiversity of Moonee Ponds. This green integration means residents who work from home always have direct access to natural spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and exercise – without missing out on the benefits of an inner-city lifestyle.

“When we developed the masterplan for Moonee Valley Park, one of our key focuses was to dedicate a large proportion of the site to green open space,” says Matt Malseed, managing director of Hamton Property Group. “Not only for the benefit of future residents, but the whole local community,”

Moonee Valley Park is an EnviroDevelopment certified precinct. Some of the precinct’s eco-conscious initiatives include rainwater harvesting and reuse, solar panel integration, water-efficient tapware and walking and bike paths. Stonepine House carparks can also be enabled for EV charging as needed.

Read the whole article online via broadsheet.com.au