Cabramatta Seniors Housing

This project for Homes NSW involves the demolition of four single-lot dwellings, and the construction of 18 social housing for seniors living, in a two-storey development, with associated landscaping, including 8 car spaces.

The project has been recently lodged as DA with Fairfield Council and includes 18 (1 and 2 bedroom) apartments. It has been designed as a low-rise model with a strong emphasis on a contextual fit within the streetscape and neighbourhood.

The project presents to the streetscape as 3 buildings framing 2 entries, within a subtly stepped built-form, which integrates a 2 metre cross fall along the street. The final design, refines the rhythm and play of symmetry and asymmetry along the facades and roof forms to create a unified and civic scaled presentation to the street.

12 of the apartments open northwards to the street, with north facing living rooms opening onto lightly screened balconies. All openings and balconies are well protected from Western Sydney summer heat gain, whilst still permitting winter sunlight into the living areas. The veiled balconies ensure a careful balance of privacy, whilst maintaining outward views over the street.

The linear layout along the street belies a U shaped plan at the rear framing a central courtyard.  The on-grade car parking is consolidated underneath the built form. The circulation is rationalised along a 2 level central gallery spine, overlooking the courtyard. The rational and consolidated built form ensures that there is 40% of deep soil landscape on site and a broad range of new trees within the site.