DKO’s Indi Southbank marks Indi’s first completed Melbourne development and is now fully operational and leasing. The tower occupies a 1,800-square-metre site within the Boyd Village and Community Hub masterplan and forms part of the City of Melbourne’s long-term urban strategy for Southbank.

Rather than adopting the glass-led language that defines much of the precinct, DKO’s design responds directly to its context. The building draws on the red brick materiality of the former JH Boyd Girls’ School alongside the industrial character of surrounding infrastructure, including the Kings Way overpass. This approach positions the tower as both a counterpoint to nearby high-rise development and a continuation of the area’s material history.

At ground level, a podium with a colonnade and canopy enhances pedestrian amenity and supports active uses along the street. Facing the adjacent park, staggered balconies with operable screens introduce rhythm and depth to the façade, animating the building while providing residents with privacy and environmental control.

The development comprises a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments tailored to long-term renters. Most apartments include approximately four square metres of internal balcony space, full-height glazing and layouts designed for extended occupation rather than short-stay living.

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“Every space is curated with the resident in mind,” says Raymond Mah, Director at DKO and lead architect on the project. “From the rooftop dining to the ground-floor community interface, Indi creates a sense of belonging within the vertical form. It’s design that puts people first.”

Shared amenity is central to the project, with facilities including co-working spaces, podcast studios, communal lounges, a library, wellness areas, a swimming pool and a rooftop sky lounge and dining spaces on level 42. Concierge services, parcel lockers and dedicated delivery drop-off points support day-to-day living.

Sustainability targets are equally ambitious. Indi Southbank is aiming for a 5-Star Green Star rating and Climate Active Net Zero certification, supported by all-electric services, solar PV, rainwater harvesting, passive design strategies and waste diversion systems.

Beyond the residential component, more than 1,000 square metres within the Boyd Community Hub has been allocated for public and community use, including a library, maternal and child health services, training rooms and support facilities.

“Indi Southbank represents what’s possible when architecture is aligned with user needs, local context and long-term thinking,” Mah adds. “It’s a building designed to endure, socially and environmentally.”

DKO
dko.com.au

Photography
Courtesy of DKO