Newcastle East End
The Awabakal and Worimi people were first to occupy the land and waters of Newcastle and its surrounds. Evidence of Aboriginal settlement has been discovered as close to this site as Hunter Street Newcastle West and in indigenous tool making objects found at the Convict Lumber Yard at 98 Scott Street.
The design of Washington House focuses on views of the water and terrain beyond. The rippled form along the eastern side allows the side and rear apartments to share this outlook.
At street level, the restored heritage façades form a podium to the tower and a backdrop to a new landscaped communal terrace shared between two buildings.
The rippled form also plays on the typical skylines of Newcastle’s heritage buildings.
Original façades are used here, as elsewhere in Newcastle, for loft style apartments that offer generously proportioned height and fenestration.
The materials for the new building above are chosen and detailed to be restrained, to allow the texture and character of the heritage façades to predominate. The cool grey of the panel cladding contrasts against the warmth of the brickwork, while its herringbone pattern alludes to the traditions of masonry craftsmanship.
Awards
2022, AIA NSW Architecture Awards; Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing, Newcastle East End Stage 1.
2022, AIA NSW Newcastle Chapter Awards; The Premier’s Prize, Newcastle East End – Stage 1.
2022, AIA Newcastle Chapter Awards; Newcastle Architecture Medal, Newcastle East End – Stage 1.
2022, AIA Newcastle Chapter Awards; Award For Residential Architecture — Multiple Housing, Newcastle East End – Stage 1.
Team
Tim Greer, Ksenia Totoeva, Sara Valentin, Todd Solman, Kate Palmer, Edward Rosier, Jenna Rowe, Kevin Lee, Roger O’Sullivan, Alison Osborne.
Collaborators
SJB, Durbach Block Jaggers.
Consultants
City Plan Services, Northrop, ADP Consulting, Bonnefin Property, City Plan Services, Acoustic Logic, SJB Planning, Turner Studio, Aspect, Olsson Fire and Risk, Metropolis.
Contractor
Richard Crookes Constructions Pty Ltd.
Photographer
Brett Boardman.
