Two levels of retail form a base for 31 apartments housed over six upper levels. An arcade link marries the busy street to the inner laneway refuge. Formally, the new building shifts and folds, fluidly responding to spatial influences and contextual constraints. In reference to nearby heritage buildings, corners gently curve and sweep, suggestive of quieter spaces in the laneway just around the corner. Richly inhabited edges provide spaces to sit with your back to the wall. The receded upper levels present a softened roofscape form to positively contribute to the quality of the outlook of the adjoining buildings.

Tiered private outdoor spaces climb to the shared roof garden. The façade at footpath level is framed by an awning projection that marks the arcade entry. The arcade forms an entry point for the apartments and an alluring pathway through to Loftus Lane. Compressing down in plan and section, the arcade ceiling incorporates an integrated sound and light artwork by Indigenous artist Jonathan Jones. Sitting against the Sydney sandstone, the choice of steel grey bricks has been made to contrast and sharpen appreciation of both materials.

Solid brick panels, perforated brick screens and black steel horizontal ribbon ledge elements alternate and interweave within a vertical organisational grid to lend the façade a woven fabric-like visual quality. Photography: Rory Gardiner