A prominent Sydney building, the Newtown RSL Club on Enmore Road, is to be transformed into a new Student Housing/Boarding House development after being approved last week.

The Tony Owen Partners (TOP) design retains much of the existing mid-20th century neo art deco building.

Whilst the existing building has some detractors, TOP felt that it had strong sculptural qualities.

“We decided that any remodelling should be true to the spirit of the structure and sought to enhance these sculptural qualities rather than diminish it,” said Tony Owen.

“We took the destijl lines of the building and reinforced the interplay of vertical and horizontal elements to intensify the composition.”

The designers have introduced a glowing translucent glass box on the corner which is expected to become a beacon in the streetscape.

The design also reduces the bulk of the existing building by removing a level of plant.

The site, which has been dormant for some time, is located in the centre of the vibrant King Street precinct which is a mecca for cafes, restaurants and boutiques.

The architects say conversion as student accommodation is well suited to this location and the inclusion of ground floor cafes and retail will re-activate the area. The design incorporates many environmental features including a large oval shaped open void space and internal garden to enhance natural ventilation and light. Internally the design will utilise robust materials and bold colours to create a light and vibrant environment.

Architecture & Design Team

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