A landmark social housing development in Glebe, NSW is demonstrating how higher-density living can be successfully integrated into established neighbourhoods without compromising design quality, sustainability or community character.

Led by Homes NSW in partnership with The King’s Trust Australia, the Cowper Street Housing project has transformed a previously underutilised social housing site over a period of six years into a vibrant residential precinct, tripling its original capacity to 75 new social homes.

Designed by Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) with GroupGSA serving as delivery architect and Kane Constructions as design and build contractor, the Cowper Street Housing precinct was originally planned as a mixed-tenure development comprising social, affordable and market housing. However, the project was revised post-approval to deliver only social homes, creating three times more social housing stock to meet the growing demand alongside an enhanced public domain while setting a new benchmark for the quality and performance of publicly funded housing.

“Cowper Street Housing is a showcase of traditional architectural approaches where the values of making and crafting our built environment are measured alongside cost and efficiency,” says JPW architect and project director Graeme Dix.

“It was several years in delivery and the project anticipated the growing need for density done well in the NSW housing strategy. Such a strong focus on amenity, liveability and sustainability demonstrates that density, even in some of the most densely populated suburbs of Sydney, can be done well.”

Spread across two towers with eight storeys each and a three-storey terraced house building, the project offers three studio apartments, 40 one-bedroom apartments, 27 two-bedroom apartments, and five three-bedroom terrace homes, collectively delivering 75 new dwellings. All the apartments open up into naturally ventilated lobbies.

JPW’s design for Cowper Street Housing – also the first mass timber social housing project in NSW – responds sensitively to its location on the edge of a heritage conservation area through materiality, form and scale. Drawing inspiration from the traditional brick and timber construction of the iconic Victorian terraces and large masonry wool stores that define Glebe and nearby Pyrmont, the project pairs robust brickwork on the outside with cross-laminated timber (CLT) within the buildings. This hybrid approach not only references historic building typologies in the area but also supports improved environmental performance and construction efficiency. The CLT element – used for all above-ground floors and internal walls barring the lift shaft – remains exposed within the apartments, contributing to a warm, natural interior character, while complementing the external brickwork that supports passive climate control inside the buildings.

“Many projects can be successful, but few can achieve greatness by making the right choices for the right reasons and prioritising needs over wants. It involves creating equitable designs for those who need them the most, using sustainable products,” observes GroupGSA Associate Principal and Project Architect Noura Thaha.

“With limited IP available on CLT applications for Class 2 buildings, this project demanded extensive research, immense effort, and extensive collaboration. We utilised advanced technology for comprehensive documentation to facilitate CLT prefabrication and ensure seamless integration with traditional building materials,” she adds.

Sustainability and passive building principles are central to the project’s design. More than 80% of the dwellings are naturally ventilated and receive at least two hours of sunlight in mid-winter. The development is fully electric and targets a 6 Star Green Star as well as high NatHERS ratings, with multiple strategies including solar power, water retention systems, green roofs and extensive landscaping positioning it among the most sustainable social housing developments in Australia.

Inside, apartments are designed for comfort and flexibility, with most featuring dual aspects for improved light and ventilation. In addition, 28% of the homes are adaptable to Livable Housing Australia’s Silver Level, ensuring accessibility and usability for a broader range of residents.

Communal rooftop gardens and landscaped courtyards enhance residents’ access to outdoor space. The built form of the towers carefully frames views towards Wentworth Park and incorporates setbacks to preserve existing street trees, while the terraces extend the low-rise character of an adjacent park to the west.

“Beyond housing, the project strengthens community pride and fosters a sense of belonging. For this reason, JPW’s design is celebrated by Homes NSW, and we proudly regard this as one of our signature projects in recent years,” says Matthew Gallagher, Homes NSW.

“This inspired project carefully blends with the existing heritage streetscape, creating harmony between old and new. With 70 apartments and five terrace homes, it offers quality housing that feels welcoming and dignified for social housing residents. Thoughtful layouts, natural light, and shared green spaces make everyday living more enjoyable and encourage community connection,” adds Gallagher.

As housing affordability pressures continue to intensify, the Cowper Street development offers a compelling model for future social housing projects in urban areas, demonstrating that increased density, sustainability and high-quality, amenity-rich design can coexist to deliver greater liveability and lasting community value.

The development was officially opened late last month by NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Housing Rose Jackson, marking a major milestone in the delivery of sustainable social housing in inner‑city Sydney.

Images: JPW

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