Reimagining a local precinct means supporting the health, wellbeing and lifestyle needs of its community. When design contemplates future needs, it has the potential to enriches lives. This masterplanned project will generate a vibrant new hub of connection and drive positive change through Arncliffe and beyond.
Billbergia has engaged us for the masterplan and architectural concept design for the new development at 26-42 Eden Street and 161-179 Princes Highway, Arncliffe. This project is being carried out under the NSW Land and Housing Corporation’s (LAHC) ‘Future Directions’ policy, and is being led by Billbergia as the development partner along with Social Housing Provider (CHP), Evolve Housing.
The 1.34-hectare site is located near Arncliffe train station and will include 744 apartments spread across 4 towers of varying heights, ranging from 18 to 21 storeys. This mixed-tenure community will integrate 180 social housing units with 564 main-market residential units of similar scale, design, and amenities. At the residential complex’s ground level, a mixed-use precinct will offer vibrant retail and civic space. Car parking for retail and residents will be accommodated through two and a half levels of the site-wide basement.
“Merging social housing with general residential apartments will encourage engagement between all social strata and foster inclusivity,” said our Director and strategic design lead, Lisa-Maree Carrigan.
Identified by Bayside Council as a special interest site, it has been rezoned with an additional height and floor space allowance in return for a new 4000m2 public park at the heart of the masterplan. This public space is sheltered from the neighbouring Princess Highway and opens onto Eden Street to the north. It provides ideal solar access throughout the day and improves the site through links already used by the community.
The parkland, combined with the scale and nature of the development, has demanded a highly collaborative effort from our project team. Knowledge and expertise are drawn upon from our landscape and urban design teams and our architectural experience in residential, retail, and social housing.
Located on Gweagal, Bidjigal and Gadigal Country, a key component of the design response is a co-design narrative led by WSP with local Elders and the project team.
The material expression of the architectural and landscape elements integrates Aboriginal design principles derived through consultation with WSP’s Indigenous Specialist Services.
Buildings A and B are inspired by the local landscape, with water elements and the La Perouse and Arncliffe cliffs influencing the architecture. Building A is informed by the water and the air regarding indigenous lore. The podium design of Building A features scaled teal-coloured zinc panelling – almost like architectural fish scales – that essentially wraps around the building.”
Meanwhile, the subterranean and formative parts of the earth inform the façade of Building B, which imbues a richer palette of earth-stained aggregate concrete with a natural colour brick-skinned podium. Using concrete and curvaceous form, the architecture is dotted with plants, much like in sandstone crops. Planters extend the height of Buildings A and B to perceive the nearby parkland as wrapping up the breadth of the towers.
Building D, which is close to the Princes Highway, forms from the dark greys of a spent banksia seed pod. It features a dark charcoal palette and light concrete base with black ‘popped out’ steel-framed windows to mimic the husk.
Building C (the social and affordable housing tower) interprets the Banksia Integrifolia in full bloom. It adopts a warm colour palette, with architectural ‘fins’ lining the building, inspired by the flower stamen.
The project also consulted Auntie Yvonne Sims, an Elder of the Bidjigal people, and Indigigrow, led by Uncle Peter Cooley. The landscape design will include plantings of significant portions of native species, including the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub.
Our landscape architecture team developed an abstracted play area based on indigenous flora in a co-design process with Auntie Yvonne, passionate about social housing, child safety, observable play spaces, and enhanced amenities for children.
Other design interventions include cultural markers and incorporating gathering areas and quiet places to connect.
>> Billbergia and Homes NSW Spearhead Sydney Housing Revolution: 1,300 New Dwellings by 2026 by Billbergia, 3 May 2024
“Poised to become the largest mixed-tenure housing development to date, Arncliffe Central stands as a testament to the commitment towards addressing the housing crisis.”
Lisa-Maree, a Director and multi-award-winning architect, is a design and thought leader with a global perspective. Her extensive industry knowledge from working in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia underpins her purposeful, visionary design excellence.
