Whiting Court affordable apartments
C4 Architects was briefed to deliver a government housing development that would support a range of ages and lifestyles within the local community. The project worked around site constraints to maintain a focus on maximising site yield, construction efficiency and energy performance, while creating a strong streetscape appeal to shape future development in the area.
A series of two-bedroom apartments as part of a new affordable government housing development in Elizabeth North, South Australia.
Design approach
The client required 10 apartments to appear from the streetscape as a collection of five townhouses. To achieve this sense of a series of individual dwellings rather than a traditional apartment block, our architectural design breaks down scale and massing through articulated facades, varied roof forms, large balconies, material transitions and clearly defined private entries.
A key challenge included working around two significant trees on site, which drove overall layout and design strategies. The design considered tree protection zones and construction impacts from the early planning stages. The building footprint, circulation zones, and private open spaces were carefully arranged around the trees to minimise disturbance to their root systems and retain them as shady areas that can be enjoyed by the residents.
Our approach to best-practice, first-principles environmental design enabled us to achieve a seven-star rating for these apartments, which enhances ongoing sustainability and reduces running costs. This was achieved by incorporating good solar north orientation for abundant natural lighting and passive winter warming, and large roof overhangs and breezeway features to promote passive cooling. These apartments were delivered in an area identified for future housing development and established a benchmark for a best-practice design to guide and inform future projects.
Ready to discuss your affordable and public housing project?
C4 Architects regularly works on government, public and community projects of all sizes. Whether you’re planning a new development or a refurbishment, our team can support your project from early feasibility through to design, documentation and delivery.
