St Marys Social Housing
St Marys Housing
St Marys, NSW
Client Land and Housing Corporation
Year Current
Scope DA, Documentation and Construction
Team Damien Madell, Jonathon Hoare & Peter McGregor with LAHC and GrowthBuilt
This social housing project provides 44 much-needed one and two bedroom apartments. The feasibility of the project was driven by a need to maximise the development potential of this publicly owned land, balanced by the need to maximise amenity for residents.
Responding to the context of established suburban front gardens, new canopy trees and extensive landscaping are key elements of the project. The building occupies a sloping site with two street frontages and is arranged in two volumes. At the corner a three level building is given a generous setback to create a new “front garden” that borrows the garden setbacks of houses along Phillip Street. The second building, at four part five levels, steps in plan back towards the street, maximising afternoon sun and views towards the Blue Mountains.
It is at the balcony that the life of the building meets the activity of the street. Recessed to half their depth, designed as outdoor rooms, they receive winter sun and provide shade in summer, weather protection, ventilation, privacy and outlook. Perforated metal screening, with varied perforations, provide a diaphanous contrast with masonry elements.
The project provides highly accessible residential housing with a direct line of site from the street address through the open-air lift lobby. At entry, a lengthy loggia accommodates a blue brick bench, which overlooks the front garden and the street, providing a protected place for social engagement. Open air galleries on each level overlook the main building entry and landscaped open space at the rear. All apartments are single level for improved accessibility and there are no steps or changes of level within the building. Corridors are wide and articulated. All required storage is located within apartments.
This project was commissioned by NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) after a competitive procurement process that included a detailed design for the proposed building before the award of tender. The highly technical brief included extensive design requirements regarding amenity, safety and accessibility. 100% of apartments achieve Livable Housing Design Guidelines – Gold Standard
Winner of Invited Competition
LAHC, In Association in GrowthBuilt
NSW AIA Award for Residential Architecture, Multiple Housing – 2022 Commendation
St. Marys housing examines the premise that buildings in general – and housing projects in particular – constitute the fabric of our streets. Every building can define or reinforce the street in a positive way. With a radical uplift of current densities, the project aims to engage positively with it’s streets, by the creation of legible built form that maximises opportunities for social engagement.
The design carefully rationalised constructed elements. Transfer slabs are minimised and the entire building is set out on a brick module, (in plan and section). Architectural materials are carefully curated and durable, comprised of face brick, Colorbond cladding and perforated metal. Similarly landscape, includes, corten steel garden edging and brick paving. All exterior finishes are integral or factory produced, with no scaffold finishes. 40 new trees are accommodated on site including Native species plants that are endemic to the clay soils of the Cumberland Woodland. The building is designed with a focus on passive environmental design. The project includes a 15kW solar photovoltaic system and a 5,000 litre rainwater re-use system.
