Strategic partnerships in practice. How Phoenix supports specifiers to bring their visions to life

At Phoenix, the philosophy of partnership sits at the heart of everything we do. Our commercial sales team works alongside specifiers as strategic collaborators, offering expertise, technical support and design alignment to help bring architectural intent into reality. The Elsternwick Gardens project by Milieu is a perfect example of how this partnership approach elevates outcomes for everyone involved.

The historic Mansion at Rippon Lea Estate, surrounded by a garden with features of historical, landscape and architectural interest.

A once-in-a-generation project and a shared commitment to excellence

Elsternwick Gardens is described by Milieu Director, Shannon Peach, as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity.” The 1.2-hectare, former ABC Studio site, rich with cultural history and bordered by the iconic Rippon Lea Estate, presented a rare chance to create a new residential community grounded in landscape, heritage and contemporary spaces.

Milieu’s vision was twofold. It was to reconnect the site back into the Rippon Lea Estate, and to celebrate the creativity and cultural production that once filled the ABC studios found there.

Realising this vision required the combined effort of some of Melbourne’s leading designers. Elsternwick Gardens comprises architecture and masterplan by Woods Bagot, landscape design by OCULUS and three residential offerings with interiors designed by Woods Bagot, K.P.D.O. and Flack Studio.  Milieu collaborated with these innovative Melbourne architectural practices to craft spaces that embody their long-standing commitment to quality, sustainability and urban liveability.

Phoenix Vivid Slimline Plus Lever Basin Set in Chrome in the K.P.D.O. display suite at Elsternwick Gardens

Where Phoenix comes in, as a partner, not just a supplier

For Milieu, selecting fixtures and fittings is never a transactional exercise. As Shannon notes, “We look to form long-term partnerships with suppliers that share our values around timeless quality and Australian design, with sustainability as standard.”

This value alignment is exactly why Phoenix was engaged as a partner on the project.

Led by the Phoenix Commercial Sales Team, our role extended far beyond supplying tapware. We worked closely with the Milieu project team to offer tailored specification guidance, technical expertise, compliance and regulatory support, and cost-aligned solutions that preserved design intent across diverse apartment types.

The kitchen in the K.P.D.O. display suite at Elsternwick Gardens, featuring the Phoenix Vivid Slimline Pull Out Sink Mixer in Chrome and a 4000 Series Sink

This level of collaboration is made possible by Phoenix’s 35-plus years of Australian design innovation. Our products are globally recognised with Red Dot, iF and Good Design awards. They embody our Refined by Design ethos and are crafted to perform. But more importantly, they are developed with the architectural process in mind.

We understand that every choice a specifier makes impacts functionality, sustainability, maintenance and long-term liveability. Our job is to simplify complexity, remove friction and enable designers to remain focused on what matters most – creating exceptional places for people.

The Phoenix Axia Wall Mixer Set with Curved Outlet in Brushed Nickel elevates the bathroom space in the Woods Bagot display suite

A project elevated through collaboration

Partnerships like the one between Phoenix and Milieu offer us direct insight into the future of residential development. They also allow us to contribute meaningfully to outcomes rather than simply supplying tapware, showers and accessories at the end of a lengthy process.

At Elsternwick Gardens, this collaboration resulted in well-resolved interiors where Phoenix products support the overarching architectural story, elevating each space without competing with the calm, refined material palettes.

The seamless process between Milieu, its architectural partners and specification support from Phoenix ensured that the design intent was consistently upheld, performance and durability standards were met, and selections aligned with Milieu’s sustainability ambitions.

The calming material palette of the Woods Bagot kitchen in the Elsternwick Gardens display suite, featuring the Phoenix Vivid Slimline Pull Out Sink Mixer in Brushed Nickel and a 4000 Series Sink

The Phoenix partnership model

Our commercial sales team is built around the idea that we don’t just supply, that we co-create with our partners.

For architects, interior designers and developers, this means access to our dedicated specification managers, detailed technical documentation, installation and compliance knowledge, finish samples and collection advice, and project support from early concept to completion.

By partnering early, we can ensure every detail aligns with the design vision, regulatory requirements and commercial realities of the project.

The Milieu Display Suite for Elsternwick Gardens, on the site of the former ABC Studios on Gordon Street, abutting Rippon Lea Estate

Looking Ahead

As Elsternwick Gardens continues to take shape, it stands as a testament to what thoughtful collaboration can achieve. For Phoenix, it also reinforces our belief that the best outcomes appear when specifiers and suppliers work together as strategic partners.

We’re proud to have contributed to Milieu’s remarkable project, and proud of our role in supporting the design teams who shaped it.

Partnerships like these are what push our industry forward by delivering places where people can live, connect and thrive.

At Phoenix, we design and engineer products that bring architectural visions to life but it’s the relationships we build that make truly exceptional work possible.

The pathway leading from Elsternwick Gardens through to Rippon Lea Estate

Photography – Spacecraft
Videography – Flip Films