The first social housing project in Australia to receive a 5 Green Star rating has won the 2011 Sustainable Development Award from Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA).

Lilyfield Housing Redevelopment was designed by HBO+EMTB for Housing NSW and in addition to the UDIA NSW Austral Bricks Awards for Excellence, the project recently received international recognition by being shortlisted in the World Architecture Festival awards in Barcelona.

It is an 88-unit multi-building complex that is located on the block bounded by Lilyfield Road, Balmain Road and Edward Street.

The architect says the project demonstrates that highly sustainable public housing outcomes are both realistic and achievable in terms of function, project demographics and housing affordability.

The buildings feature classic passive solar design with all units designed with north or east facing living areas and natural cross ventilation.

Photovoltaic cells on panels concealed by what was designed to be a dramatically raked roofline provide solar hot water and on-site production of electricity.

Rainwater is collected in tanks for use in gardens, laundries and toilets.

The project’s design director, HBO+EMTB director Gustavo Thiermann, said:

“It is extremely exciting that the Lilyfield Project is being acknowledged on the state, national and even international stage for both its sustainability and its design.

“For the project to be successful it was essential to have a client who was fully committed to the underlying sustainability principles and an unwavering support for good design.

“The building design features a large central courtyard, which provides privacy and secure open space for all of the tenants to enjoy. There is a BBQ area, with a pergola for shade. The design also includes landscaped, private open spaces for all ground floor units.

“Ten percent of the apartments are specifically designed to the latest standards of accessibility for disabled occupants,” Thiermann said.

HBO+EMTB Managing Director Kevin Fitzgerald said: “The NSW Government, and Housing NSW in particular, are to be congratulated for embracing green building principles and providing a more sustainable environment for public housing occupants, who will benefit from lower energy and water bills as well as a happier, healthier place to live.”

The development also features space for a community garden for tenants to grow their own vegetables and an informal play area, both of which are wheelchair accessible. There are compost bins near the community garden space and bicycle racks for secure bike parking.

The final results in the World Architecture Festival will be announced in Barcelona in November.

UDIA Judges comments

The Lilyfield project successfully addresses the three pillars of sustainable development; environmental, economic and social performance. Environmental performance through the building design and monitoring inclusions, economic performance through redeveloping at higher densities than previous land use and social performance through the provision of quality accommodation, common facilities and the proximity to health, education and employment opportunities.

Background

The 88 units in the Lilyfield development replace 40 units in 12 two-storey blocks constructed in the 1950s that had proven costly to maintain and upgrade.

Part of the funding for the Lilyfield project comes from money raised from the sale of 99-year leases on heritage listed Housing NSW properties at Millers Point, which were sold with a condition that lessees bring properties up to standards defined in a conservation management plan.

Architecture & Design Team

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