Cabramatta Seniors’ Housing

This project for Homes NSW involves the demolition of four single-lot dwellings and the construction of 18 social housing dwellings for seniors’ living. The two-storey development is surrounded by landscaping and includes eight car spaces.

The project has entered the documentation phase and includes ten one-bedroom apartments and eight two-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 three buildings framing two entries, within a subtly stepped built-form, which integrates a two-metre crossfall along the street. The final design refines the rhythm and play of symmetry and asymmetry along the façades and roof forms to create a civic scaled presentation to the street.

Twelve 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’s summer heat gain, whilst still permitting winter sunlight into the living areas. The veiled balconies ensure a careful balance of privacy and 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 dual-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.