This project was generated by the question of how to stay, and how to afford to stay, living in the inner city with 2 children. A cluster of walk-up apartment developments are filled with a mixture of renters and owners, providing a form of multi-generational living. These buildings can be given a new phase of life and contemporary relevance through particular adaptation strategies.
Following earlier works refurbishing run-down common garden areas and installing water tank infrastructure, a projecting balcony idea was taken to the Body Corporate. Out of 36 flats, 18 are 2-bedroom units with north facing frontage over the back car-space. A key tool for working constructively amongst the very different people of the Body Corporate was to propose a common design, able to be repeated and shared across any of the apartments along the back façade; 7 owners elected to join the initial Town Planning application.
Internal renovations interpret and subtly readjust the basic parti of the original layout, allowing for multiple future living scenarios. The linking balcony plus increased light and air makes bedrooms more like living spaces, and multiplies time spent in these spaces – effectively enlarging the home.