Sydney-based architecture and interior design firm Silvester Fuller has been named the winner of a hotly contested competition to devise the vision for Redfern Place.
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Redfern Place is a major new $230 million mixed-use housing hub proposed for 600-660 Elizabeth Street in Redfern.
The innovative practice beat out numerous competitors to secure the plum job of designing the transformative precinct, which aims to provide over 300 homes across a range of social, affordable and private housing types.
The development led by Bridge Housing and Capella Capital aims to revitalise the area by replacing an obsolete building with:
- 100 social housing units owned by NSW Land and Housing Corporation
- 40 affordable homes for very low to moderate income families
- 80 affordable homes designated for key workers like nurses, police, and teachers
- 11 specialist disability accommodation homes
- Around 100 private market-rate apartments
- 3,500 square metres of community space including facilities for the local PCYC
Rose Jackson, the Minister for Housing and Homelessness, expressed approval of the selection of Silvester Fuller as the lead design firm for the redevelopment project.
“More social housing in inner city Sydney is crucial, and this project will bring together a diverse housing mix along with a community facility that will greatly benefit the Redfern community,” Ms Jackson said.
“I look forward to seeing Silvester Fuller’s vision for Redfern Place, and for this project moving another step towards providing more housing for people in need.”
“Redfern Place marks a turning point in property development history at a time when housing affordability has never been more important,” said Stephen Bull, Executive Chair of Bridge Housing.
Mr Bull highlighted that Redfern Place will comprise 70 percent of social and affordable homes, giving people a home where they want to live, close to family networks and their jobs. He said the design will also be audacious, genuinely striving to design for community and country and “celebrating Redfern’s history, vibrance and resilience.”
While Silvester Fuller won the competition for the overall vision, several other firms have been brought on to execute different components. Architecture AND will handle the design of the community facility space within the Redfern Place complex.
The broader design team is being led by Hayball, who will serve as the lead design architects overseeing execution. Landscape architecture and cultural advisory will be provided by Aspect Studios and Yerrabingin, respectively.
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Redfern Place may prove to be a blueprint for how cities can thoughtfully densify whilst maintaining diversity and easy access to vital services. Its success could pave the way for similar mixed-tenure developments that bring high-quality housing within reach for all demographics.
Published 22-April-2024