The site is located on a prominent corner in historic Parramatta in Sydney’s West. The surrounding buildings ranges from 2 to 18 storey apartment buildings, so this was very much an infill project. The 9 storey development contains ground floor retail and 32 units above totally some 4500m2. The massing fills in the corner and completes the streetscape. The streetscape on the ground floor is activated with retail uses. As the site is extremely tight it is impossible to achieve ramp access to the basement levels. A car loft is used for parking access. The design of the apartments has been influenced by the principles of passive solar design. The majority of units are either corner units, through units or have ventilation slots on the façade to maximise natural ventilation and minimise energy use. The façade lattice screen was originally intended as a structure for a green wall on the entire façade.

This being a prominent gateway corner we believe that the building should have a façade of the exceptional quality and design excellence. The façade would become an art installation within the city. We engaged local artist Gary Deirmendjian, with whom we have previously collaborated. Gary started with a cartography of historic Parramatta sites in the vicinity of the site. This was combined with the colonial street grid to produce a matrix of historical sites which evolved into the final design. The resulting façade takes the form of a lattice over the building. This lattice screen is attached to the façade made from powder coated aluminium. The lattice provides protection for glazing. In addition, portions of the lattice are to be in-filled with a bio-climatic green wall which uses reticulated grey water. This creates a double façade which creates a micro-climate and enhances thermal stability and minimises energy use.

The result is a gateway building which has a genuinely unique and progressive expression which will be a benchmark for the area and establish the precinct as a focus for design excellence.