A mixed-use affordable housing project in Sydney is setting high standards for efficiency, durability and good design, creating a new model to address the housing affordability challenge.

Designed by NSW architectural practice EM BE CE for City West Housing, Bangalay is the competition-winning entry for a significant affordable housing development in the inner-city suburb of Alexandria. The project will offer more than 100 units with the design prioritising community, structural efficiency, thoughtful spatial planning, shared outdoor spaces and site-specific architectural responses.

As an established affordable housing developer and provider, City West Housing builds, holds and operates their projects, ensuring a commitment to long-term thinking and efficient, well-constructed buildings.

EM BE CE’s winning design is underpinned by strong architectural principles, with the building taking form initially as a response to existing trees on a notable corner site, providing curves that celebrate the trees and mark out the main communal spaces through connection to landscape. The standout masonry facade is dignified and distinctive with the deep brick blades combining privacy with generous views and access to natural light.

With structural efficiency and durability being primary considerations, materiality takes on an important role in the project. A highly efficient structural grid and modular design elements allow the building to be truly robust, creating the space for meaningful design of private residential and communal areas.

A central shared garden maintains multiple points of connection with residential areas, while intelligent circulation design allows for incidental communal spaces within the building. In terms of orientation, the number of south-facing units is kept to an absolute minimum and cross-ventilation is prioritised throughout. The thoughtful spatial planning extends into the individual units, where the compact spaces draw natural light, get protection from road noise, and include features such as study nooks, again proving that affordability can be achieved without compromising internal amenity and comfort.

While affordable housing design doesn’t have a template, EM BE CE’s winning scheme for this project illustrates how robust architectural skills are needed to address its challenges. Care for community and quality housing are the principles at the heart of the design, based on a substantial foundation of efficient structural planning, durable materials and sound spatial planning.

The result is a dignified, elegant design that does more with less – bringing a distinctive new presence to the city and demonstrating how good design can achieve quality housing for all.

Branko Miletic

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