Date  10 January 2026 

Multi-residential developments bring together many lives under one roof. They’re places where hundreds of people cook, rest, work, celebrate, and move through their day, often on the very same floor.

Designing for this kind of living asks for foresight: an ability to think at scale, and an understanding of how materials perform not just in one home, but across an entire building.

At Block, we’ve had the privilege of working with many of Australia’s leading architects, interior designers and developers on projects that redefine what multi-residential living can feel like.

Through these collaborations, we’ve learnt how flooring can support the character, cohesion and longevity of a large-scale project, while still helping each residence feel personal and warm.

Here’s what we’ve learnt along the way.

Customisation

One of the key things we’ve learnt through our multi-residential work is that scale amplifies every material decision. A plank width that feels subtle in a single apartment can feel either too busy or too flat when used across a whole building. Colours shift depending on orientation and light. Grain variation becomes more noticeable when repeated 200 times.

To give designers control at this scale, we offer complete customisation across:

• Plank size
• Colour and tone
• Grade and variation
• Finish and texture

This level of flexibility was crucial at The Archer, a recent project we worked on with Interior Design by Carr. 

Carr’s interior concept played with tailoring motifs and curved floorplates. Mixed widths (190mm, 220mm, 260mm) allowed the interiors to breathe with the architecture, ensuring the flooring supported rather than constrained the design language.

What Matters Most in Multi-Residential Flooring

One of the biggest lessons we’ve learnt from multi-residential work is that flooring behaves differently when it’s used across an entire building. Decisions that feel small at the apartment scale start to matter more when repeated across corridors, lobbies, lift zones and hundreds of individual homes.

Here are the considerations that consistently shape the conversations we have with project teams:

Durability

Multi-residential buildings see more movement, more deliveries, more cleaning and more turnover than a single dwelling. Materials need to handle that rhythm without showing fatigue.

Hybrid flooring has become a practical choice in these environments: stable, durable and moisture-resistant, while still offering a refined timber look. European Oak and Australian Species can also perform extremely well when finished correctly, particularly in premium developments where natural grain and warmth are part of the design narrative.

Acoustics

Noise transfer is one of the most significant contributors to resident comfort in multi-residential buildings. While no flooring product solves acoustics on its own, the right specification can meaningfully support the overall acoustic strategy.

Our European Oak engineered timber can be specified with a factory-applied cork acoustic underlay (3mm or 5mm) to help reduce both impact and airborne noise in multi-level homes and commercial spaces.

Our Hybrid flooring, on the other hand, includes an inbuilt rubber underlay, offering acoustic benefits alongside a softer underfoot feel and added protection against moisture.

Cork is a renewable, biodegradable material harvested without harming the tree, while rubber underlays are valued for their durability and moisture resistance. Each system is selected to suit different performance requirements, ensuring acoustic comfort is addressed in a way that aligns with the broader needs of the project.

Cohesion

When colour, tone and grain are well considered, residents experience a sense of continuity as they move from shared spaces to private ones.

We’ve seen this play out in projects such as A Piccolo House, where a consistent flooring palette helped unify apartments with different orientations and varying natural light conditions.

Maintenance

Multi-residential projects require surfaces that continue to present well over years of use. Straightforward cleaning, predictable wear patterns and reliable finishing systems all contribute to how the building ages.

Hybrid offers strong advantages in high-use zones, while timber brings character and natural variation that many premium developments value. Understanding where each product performs best helps ensure the building looks as considered at handover as it does a decade later.

Recent Projects

Here are a few projects where these principles have shaped our approach and where flooring choices have supported the architecture, interiors and overall identity of multi-residential buildings at scale.

A Piccolo House

Development by Piccolo
Interior Design by Hecker Guthrie
Architecture by Woods Bagot

In Fitzroy, Piccolo Gore Street brings together industry leaders to deliver a project defined by craftsmanship and calm materiality. For its 49 premium residences, we supplied Lisbon from our European Oak collection in a clean ABC grade—a choice that offers tonal consistency and fine grain clarity.

The result is a flooring palette that elevates the refined interior design and reinforces the building’s quiet sophistication.

The Archer

Development by Pace
Interior Design by Carr
Architecture by ARM

The Archer occupies a landmark site at Flemington Racecourse, with interiors inspired by tailoring traditions and the elegance of race-day dressing.

To support the building’s sweeping curves and generous floorplates, we supplied over 13,000 sqm of engineered timber in mixed widths—190mm, 220mm and 260mm—across three European Oak colours: Shibuya, San Juan and Istanbul.

The variation in plank size, combined with a curated palette, creates movement and refinement across 14 levels.

MIRA

Development by Frank Development
Architecture by Ferro Chow and ByCulprit

Set along Northcliffe’s beachfront, MIRA is composed of just 12 multi-level residences, including a three-storey penthouse.

To complement its soft coastal palette, we collaborated with Frank Developments on a custom-coloured European Oak, installed with a 3mm cork acoustic underlay to enhance both performance and underfoot comfort.

Hampton Hill

Developer & Builder by Lowe Living
Architecture & Interiors by Woods Bagot

Designed to capture the calm of the bayside landscape, Hampton Hill features 32 residences shaped by natural light, texture and tone. 

Brera, from our European Oak collection, was selected for its soft grey wash and subtle hazel undertones, perfectly aligning with Woods Bagot’s organic, restrained interior palette.

Working with Block

Multi-residential work is always a collaboration. Our role in the process is clear: to provide flooring that supports the design intent, performs at scale, and helps create places people feel comfortable living in every day.

From customisation and acoustic underlays to installation support and long-term durability, we bring experience shaped by projects across Australia and a deep understanding of how people live together.

If you’re planning a multi-residential development and would like to explore tailored flooring options, our team is equipped to support you through every stage.

Date  10 November 2025

At Made by Block, we know flooring does more than just fill a space, it sets the tone, creates atmosphere and becomes part of the experience.

While our flooring designs have elevated countless homes, we’re also passionate about transforming commercial spaces. From bustling restaurants to modern offices, we bring style, durability and a little global flair to every project.

What makes commercial flooring different?

Flooring in commercial spaces faces unique demands that set it apart from residential projects. While residential flooring focuses on personal comfort and aesthetics, commercial flooring must meet stricter standards for durability, safety, and functionality.

Think about the heavy foot traffic in retail stores, the noise control needed in busy offices, or the frequent spills that hospitality venues encounter. These spaces need flooring that not only withstands constant wear and tear but also complements the overall design and meets compliance standards.

Additionally, commercial projects often involve tighter timelines and larger-scale installations, requiring precise coordination between architects, designers, and builders. This is where expertise and quality materials make all the difference.

Key features of commercial flooring

The unique demands of commercial spaces mean that flooring must deliver on several fronts. Here’s what sets commercial flooring apart:

• Safety Standards: Commercial flooring must meet slip resistance and fire safety ratings to comply with regulations and ensure a safe environment for staff and customers.
• Durability: High-traffic areas demand flooring that can withstand constant use without losing its visual appeal.
• Acoustic Properties: Many commercial spaces, such as offices or restaurants, require sound-dampening flooring to create a more pleasant environment.
• Easy Maintenance: Unlike residential floors, commercial flooring needs to be easy to clean and maintain, minimising downtime while keeping spaces looking professional.

By addressing these factors, commercial flooring ensures that businesses not only look good but also operate smoothly.

Environmental and health benefits

Sustainability is becoming a key consideration for businesses, not just for their impact on the environment but also for the health of employees and customers.

• Eco-Friendly Sourcing: Our timber is responsibly sourced from sustainable forests, ensuring that every plank reflects both quality and environmental responsibility.
• Non-Toxic Finishes: In spaces where air quality matters—such as wellness centres or healthcare facilities—our finishes provide a safe and healthy option without compromising on style or durability.

By prioritising sustainability, commercial flooring solutions can align with broader environmental goals and consumer values.

Our commercial work

We are very proud of the commercial projects we have completed so far. Here’ a few highlights.

If you’re looking for flooring that can handle the demands of a busy commercial space while turning heads for all the right reasons, we’d love to help. 

Explore our flooring or get in touch to chat about your project today.