Sustainable Soul: Inside the Carbon-Positive Mitchell Street Project

CKA Studio and Samssons Projects prove net-zero living doesn't mean compromising on texture, warmth, or beautiful architecture.

A lingering misconception suggests "sustainable" architecture demands an act of sacrifice, where achieving an 8-star energy rating or carbon-neutral performance makes a home feel technical, sparse, or purely utilitarian.

Mitchell Street silences this idea immediately.

Situated in the creative heart of Northcote, this dual-occupancy project shifts the conversation on what responsible urban living looks like. Designed by CKA Studio and built by Samssons Projects, it serves as a tangible proof of concept: a gas-free, low-impact home feeling indulgent rather than restrained.

The first thing you notice here isn't the eco-credentials, but the texture. There is a clear mid-century current running through the interiors, but it feels fresh rather than nostalgic. The ceilings are lined in honey-toned cork, a material choice bringing immediate warmth while acting as a natural acoustic and thermal insulator. Beneath your feet, polished concrete grounds the space, working in tandem with exposed block work walls to steady the internal temperature. The undeniable centrepiece is the kitchen. Here, a monolithic, textured slab seems to defy gravity, resting on clear legs, a moment of high design drama proving eco-friendly design doesn't have to be boring.

This attention to detail extends to how the home handles light, treating it almost as another building material. The site wasn't without its hurdles; a south-facing facade meant natural light had to be captured intentionally, not just expected. The architects responded with strategic window shrouds and a layout physically wrapped by the garden, ensuring the interiors maintain a constant, open dialogue with the outdoors. Even the exterior speaks this language, where "hit-and-miss" textured brickwork and large windows create a shifting atmosphere throughout the day, filtering the sun and connecting the home to the rhythm of the neighbourhood.

Perhaps the most impressive feat, however, is what you don't see. Mitchell Street is a gas-free, carbon-positive development where the home generates more power than it consumes. Yet, there are no clunky visual cues of "green design," just a sense of comfort. From the heat pump hot water to the EV chargers and rainwater collection, the technology is integrated to the point of invisibility.

It creates an efficient, mindful, and responsible home, without ever feeling like a machine. This is a space prioritising materials destined to age well, ensuring the home feels relevant and beautiful for generations to come.

Mitchell Street makes a compelling case for the unhidden. It takes the heavy lifting elements, like brick, stone, and structure, and turns them into art.

Functional Form, our new capsule collection, applies that same optimism to your utility cupboard. It’s about finding the beauty in the tools you use on repeat. We believe a step ladder can moonlight as a piece of sculpture, and a pedal bin shouldn't have to live under the sink. These are the chrome, steel, and tactile upgrades that bring a surprising amount of joy to the daily grind.