Image Credit : moMA Architects
Project Overview
Sydney's over a decade long chronic housing shortages combined with skyrocketing property prices introduced high density and high-rise residential developments in deep into Sydney’s suburban areas. Increasingly over past few years, more and more tower cranes began lining up Sydney’s skyline, with the aim of these developments being generating more profit by simply maximising its saleable area and unit numbers. Lidcombe walk, as its name suggests, the conceptual approach was to allow the new building integrate with the existing urban context and adapt to its surroundings. With recent influx of new population, Lidcombe is currently going through a transitional phase in its urban form: From its traditional, six hundred square metre residential lots, to amalgamated, giant lots of much higher density, Lidcombe’s urban form is rapidly evolving. The escalation of local demand for urban density is now forming number of issues in the area: Insufficient ‘green’ spaces, a lack of public open area and retail, as well as heavy congestion of traffic. Our proposed design focused on addressing and responding to these arising urban issues in Lidcombe, not only within our site, but to suggest and encourage future neighbouring developments to participate in this urban improvement.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Eric Kim
Henry Huang
Geun Mo Kim
Gyu Hyong Yi
Ken Huang
Project Brief
It is always the biggest challenge for us architects to balance between the client’s interests and of public interest. Sacrificing saleable retail area to open up the core area as public open space on the ground floor was not an easy decision for the client. It was an arduous process of convincing our client to do so, by demonstrating the benefits of providing an open space: Improving spatial quality, sustainability, as well as alluring public interest. By opening up its dual entrances to both Kerrs Road and Joseph Street, the program attracts local pedestrians to cut through our subject site instead of taking a detour around the sharp horn of the existing urban block. By connecting the circulation from neighbour building’s open retail arcade with our proposal, it can provide diverse journey through the local area, a new urban experience for the locals in a stagnating urban landscape.
The façade design itself is another urban consideration integrated into the design. As the traditional lots were being amalgamated into giant lots, they were forced into becoming these high density and high rise aliens. The boundary between two contrasting densities were very obvious and never blended well, creating ‘urban bullying’ phenomenon in the area. Careful studies were carried out of Lidcombe’s existing building frontage width patterns, and the two most typical two width patterns were sampled and reflected on the façade as an articulation. This articulation rhythm allows the building blend into the existing streetscape both consciously and unconsciously.
Project Innovation/Need
The subject site in itself is located within a very critical position in Lidcombe, as it anchors Joseph Street – the commercial corridor axis, with Kerrs Road - the residential corridor axis. Thousands of local residents pass through this intersection to reach Lidcombe station in their everyday commute. Our proposal seeks to activate this streetscape by introducing a series of small retail centres, allowing and inviting pedestrians to walk through the site. This combination of proposed retail, walkway and circulation, and finally the public, open courtyard will form a pedestrian friendly connection from Kerrs Road to Joseph Street, as well as from the adjacent development’s retail arcade. By doing so, it will provide a better urban experience for the local residents’ everyday lives. Further, a safer urban environment is expected with its improved legibility around sharp urban corners and extended passive surveillance after dark.
Design Challenge
The biggest challenge we faced for Lidcombe walk was the site’s flood condition. The subject site is where the stormwater along Kerrs Road and Joseph Street converge, resulting in a high flood free board level. High flood free board invariably creates urban cliff between the public footpath and floor finish level of new building; the design concept seeks to actively oppose and avoid this phenomena. As a design response, a number of terraces were proposed along the street frontage, with each of the terraces were raised by couple of step to reach the required flood free board floor finish level. Connected by accessible ramps and stairs, these platforms became a buffer between the public footpath on low side and proposed ground floor on high side. Adequate landscaping and outdoor dining areas were accommodated to liven up the street frontage, and this resulting in a vibrant street atmosphere and urban experience. Consequently, it will benefit future retail spaces by attracting more circulation into the site.
Sustainability
Sustainability is another significant element of our proposed design. With the central void cascading from the roof level to the ground, most of residential units can achieve natural cross ventilation, combined with the triple road frontage allowing north orientation, accommodates very efficient solar access. The central void also acts as a stack effect corridor. During a hot day in summer, hot air collected from each level will rise through the central void to the roof level, and will be taken away by high breeze; at same time due to the pressure difference caused by this action will draw in the cool air from the ground level entrances. The façade itself is another sustainable element of the proposal. Each carefully designed façade frame functions as an awning to each level, effectively blocking off the high angle summer sun and permitting the low angle winter sun. This helps in maintaining similar internal thermal comfort all throughout the year. Stormwater collected on the roof will not get wasted too – collected stormwater will be carried down to the stormwater tank on the basement and this stored water is recycled as garden irrigation and toilet flushing water.
Architecture - Proposed
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow. The project can be a concept, tender or personal project, i.e. proposed space.
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