Adaptive reuse of a warehouse into 3 residential units
Project cost $750,000
Design 2003

This site is a group of 3 small factory unit/warehouses in an area of Botany that has been regarded 'Residential'. Each has its own street frontage and an envelope suitable for conversion, including concrete block partition walls between each unit.

The approach adopted was to contain the dwelling within the existing envelope and to maximize external walls by creating 2 'courtyards' in diagonally opposite corners of each unit. The existing warehouse wall then becomes a screen rather than an enclosure. The main resource savings in this project, though, is through the adaptive reuse of a redundant building which will also provide reference for interpretation of the former character of Botany.

The orientation of the site is north south, meaning that each unit would be facing west. The problem with designing with this orientation is that solar access is limited. We have used fairly low-tech solutions to resolved this:
1. Roof lights - to take advantage of solar penetration into internal spaces and;
2. Reflective wall surfaces in the courtyards to scoop reflected sun light into lower levels.

Terraces have also been elevation to 1st floor level by locating them in the Garage Roof. These have full solar access. Roof water will be collected in a tank under the planter beds in the terrace. This is used for gardens and topping up toilet cisterns.

Hot water will be provided by a heat pump with roof mounted panels, with lighting and power by photo-voltaic cells with batteries stored in the garage.

Airflow through each unit can be controlled by the occupant through operating windows and door openings as apertures. The mass of the existing concrete block structure provides some protection from all but the most directional noise from overhead. Double-glazing will be required in the 'sawtooth' roofs due to aircraft noise affectation.

1. Overview - General
2. Overview - Landscape
3. Model
4. Sun path diagram
5. Ground floor plan
6. First floor plan
7. Section A-A
8. Section B-B
9. Section C-C

Contact Details:
113 Queen Street North Strathfield Australia 2137
P 61 2 8765 9266 F 61 2 8765 9366
E form@formarchitects.com.au
FORM ARCHITECTS (AUST) PTY LTD ABN 63 446 075 267