Precinct 15 is a Strategic Redevelopment Area located in Altona North, eight kilometres west of Melbourne’s CBD. Plan Melbourne identifies the site as an urban renewal area which can accommodate a considerable amount of growth in the future.
We were engaged by Mirvac and other landowners to provide urban design advice in relation to density and built form to supplement the draft Development Plan prepared for the site. We also identified appropriate design responses for interfaces with transmission lines, a freeway, an activity centre, open space and existing low-rise residential areas.
To inform our advice, we prepared a Yield Analysis Tool to model proposed building density and scale scenarios and assess their ability to achieve the dwelling target for the precinct. We also developed design principles, drawn from relevant best practice, to guide the design of individual developments within the precinct.
Our work informed the planning scheme amendment which has now been introduced to facilitate renewal of the precinct.
kinetica was formerly known as David Lock Associates (DLA).
David Lock Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd changed its name to Kinetica Studio Pty Ltd on 21 February 2020 to reflect the significant reinvention of the business.
Starting with the crystallisation of our vision and values, continuing with a transformation of our planning offer, and culminating in our move to a ‘grown up’ office in the CBD, we are no longer the business we were.
Paralleling these changes, we agreed with David Lock Associates Limited (the English business which gave birth to DLA Australia) that it is time to undo our formal corporate ties, while retaining a strong informal relationship.
This reinvention of the business needed to be expressed outwardly and we began the process of refreshing our graphic identity. DLA has been predominantly known for urban design expertise, and the name reflects our history as a satellite of an English business. A new name offered the opportunity to establish a refined brand, based on a home-grown organisation featuring planners and urban designers trusted for their expertise and independence.
Our new company name, kinetica, reflects our passion for change. We facilitate and shape changes in the use, ownership and development of land to create a better lived experience.
kinetica retains the best of DLA—highly regarded independent urban design expertise—and combines it with highly regarded independent planning expertise.