Sustainable housing development in Inala sets a new standard for healthy living

Published: 

15 April 2026 10:17AM

A newly completed social housing project in Inala is redefining how design can support healthier, more sustainable communities across Queensland.

Delivered as part of the Density Diversity Done Well initiative, the project demonstrates how the wellbeing of residents can be strengthened through biophilic design, connections with nature and environmentally responsible construction.

Architect Kim Baber of Baber Studio – an architecture practice based in Brisbane, says the development goes well beyond traditional housing design.

“From the outset, we were looking at demonstrating how we can make homes healthy. And in our mind it was about allowing residents to connect with the outdoors and with nature.”

Biophilic design

Biophilic design is central to the development of the project, with landscaping, shaded spaces and vertical gardens creating a cooler, greener environment.

“We’re really big on encouraging people to connect to nature,” Kim says.

“A key aspect of our design was to incorporate biophilia, which is the way in which residents connect to nature but also connect to natural materials.”

“We’ve looked for opportunities to plant gardens and vertical greenery. It can become quite shaded, but they’re also spaces you want to walk through,” said Kim.

Plants were selected for their hardiness.

“They need to be able to survive without any irrigation, so the selection of all of the planting was done to make sure it survives.”

Environmentally responsible construction

The construction process used low carbon materials – including cross-laminated timber, a renewable material that stores carbon and reduces construction emissions.

“We were able to replace conventional concrete structures with timber. This has a carbon neutral outcome for the project and is also a modern method of construction,” says Kim.

“The cross-laminated timber is prefabricated offsite and was installed very rapidly.”

Prefabrication enables faster construction, which benefitted the project’s timeframe. Floors were installed in just 6 hours and the roof in a day and a half.

Connections with nature

Every resident at the property has their own outdoor space. Each unit has a private front garden with gentle, meandering pathways suitable for wheelchairs and walkers, and with direct access to the footpath.

The development also incorporates wide breezeways, which not only enhance aesthetics but also promote natural ventilation and cooling.

Balconies are designed with raised, perforated brick balustrades to provide privacy while allowing light and airflow, encouraging residents to enjoy the outdoors.

“There is a balcony at the rear and a balcony at the front [of the complex],” says Kim.

“When you open doors and windows, you get constant airflow through the apartment,” says Kim.

Sustainability for living well

This project exemplifies how thoughtful design can create healthier, greener, and more connected communities.

Learn more about social housing design.