Magic at Rathmines: High Performance,
Sustainable Homes That Actually Feel Like Home

DEVELOPHER  Monique Woolley @napoleon_developments

LOCATION  Fairfield, Victoria

BUILDER @beirinprojects @lm_building_group @benjaminmorgann

ARCHITECT @urbancreativestudio

INTERIORS @buildhercollective

STYLING @arch_melbourne

PHOTOGRAPHY @dylanjamesphoto

Some projects start with a whisper of an idea. For DevelopHer Monique Woolley, the Rathmines Homes were more like a roar. Standing on a block in Fairfield, she saw the potential not for one dream home but two. The vision was simple and exciting: create two residences with their own unique personalities, while making sure they still felt like part of the same story.

But today we’re zooming in on 257A Rathmines Street which has just hit the market!

A Home With its Own Voice

When you walk up to the home, you won’t just see a house, you’ll see intention. Monique didn’t want just another modern home, she wanted a residence that speaks to people. The result? A 4-bedroom + office, 2-bathroom home wrapped in sustainable performance, luxury finishes, and liveability that feels as good as it looks. Modern in materiality and colour, but grounded in comfort and intelligent design.

Sustainability Baked In — Not Tacked On

“We believe in building high-performance homes with high-quality materials that will stand the test of time.”

This isn’t a “green feature list” for show. Everything has purpose. The home is designed around Passivhaus principles: an airtight envelope, superior insulation, thermal design, and advanced ventilation systems.

A star inclusion is the Dantherm 460 heat-recovery ventilation unit, which continuously filters and refreshes air while reclaiming heat from exhaust air to temper the supply air, minimising heating needs while keeping air clean and consistent. The BINQ double-glazed UPVC windows and stacker sliders deliver thermal and acoustic performance.

Insulation is serious: walls, floors, rims, roof — each layer specified (R2.7 / R2.5 walls, R7.0 underfloor, underslab, ceiling) so the home holds its comfort. Add solar PV, electric heat-pump water heating, smart EV charging, a 3000L rainwater tank, remote-controlled external shading and wool carpets — and you see it’s not just sustainable, it’s future-proof living.

You see why Monique describes it as “a home that’s cool in summer, warm in winter, free from dust, smoke and pollen.”

Interior Soul, With Smarts

When it came to the interiors, Monique knew she wanted more than just “pretty finishes” – this home needed to feel inviting, durable, and layered with texture. She teamed up with the BuildHer Collective design team and mid-century modern became the vision, crafting a palette that strikes the perfect balance: warm timber tones to soften the spaces, robust surfaces to stand the test of time, and a mix of tactile elements that add depth and interest.

“Our objective was to deliver high-end, luxurious homes that still gave families the light and space they need for everyday living.”

Upstairs, terrazzo tiles set the tone with a timeless, textural base, while a bold mustard feature tile adds a playful punch. These choices weren’t about following fleeting trends, they were about creating a home that feels alive and warm, but also strong enough to hold up to real family life.

One of the design challenges was marrying performance with feeling. The curved walls are complex to build but offer a softness that contrasts beautifully with sharper lines elsewhere. Floor-to-ceiling windows, 6-metre heights in key zones, and green views bring life and light into the heart of the home.

“Those curved walls – they were complex to build, but they add softness and comfort that completely change the feel of the space.”

What You’ll Feel the Moment You Walk In

If you step inside tomorrow, you’ll likely feel it first — a calm sense of balance. You’ll notice that temperature seems just right, the air smells fresh, and that the space encourages you to stay. The stone surfaces, joinery, and light dancing through windows make it elegant without fussy.

You’ll see the feature staircases; you’ll see the landscaping framed by each window. You’ll feel that this home was built not just for looks, but for living — tailored for a buyer who wants beauty, performance, and forever usability.

As Monique describes it: “Everywhere you look, you’re connected to greenery, it’s a home that brings the outside in.”

So, What Were the Lessons?

“Not every home is for everyone.”
“By giving each residence its own personality, Monique learned that you don’t need to appeal to the whole market, you just need to create the right home for the right family.”

“Sustainability isn’t a bonus, it’s the brief.”
High-performance homes don’t just sell, they change how people live. Even if a buyer doesn’t recognise every technical inclusion at first, they’ll feel the difference in comfort, air quality, and running costs every day.

“Design has to hold up to real life.”
Curved walls, durable surfaces, storage in all the right places – beauty matters, but it’s how a home functions day-to-day that makes people fall in love.

“Complexity pays off.”
Some features were ambitious (like those curves or the heat-exchange system), but they’re the things that elevate the project and set it apart in a crowded market.

“Collaboration is everything.”
Working with designers and builders from the very beginning meant every choice was connected to the bigger vision. That’s how you get a home that feels cohesive and intentional from front fence to back fence.

Feeling inspired by Monique’s project and want to start your own, or thinking about renovating for a profit? We’d love to help you!

Book a chat with us today.

257A Rathmines Street, Fairfield is now for sale – if you know someone that is looking for their dream home – this is it!

View the sales listing here.

PARTNERS AND SUPPLIERS:

External Cladding: @abodowood
Heat Recovery Ventilation unit: @danthermgroupuk
Windows and doors: @binq_windows
Pool: @poolologymelbourne
Joinery: @polytec;  @centrepiececabinetry
Stone: @cdkstone; @eaglestonecreations
Carpet: @jagerscarpets
Bathroom Tiles: @artedomus, @rmstraders and @academytiles
Tapware: @abiinteriors 
Lighting: @aboutspacelighting, @beaconlighting; @eleproelec
Curtains: @fabricsthings
Cork: @fenton_and_fenton