The Residences, Sandford Lodge: Garden Apartments by Shay Cleary

Despite reaching a high density of approximately 100 units per hectare, the development blends in perfectly with its surroundings. It consists of 36 garden apartments and duplexes, never exceeding three floors. This approach proves to be economical compared to traditional development proposals, while respecting the existing residential context.

The project aims to create a distinctive residential enclave through careful site planning. A triangular formal lawn space is axially related to the protected Sandford Lodge building, promoting a sense of community. In addition, a smaller garden space at the southern end of the site retains the existing mature trees, adding a touch of greenery.

This housing typology is particularly suitable for brownfield or infill sites within the suburbs, solving the challenges related to proximity, adjacency and privacy of neighbors. The low-rise, high-density solution deals effectively with these issues through sensitive form massing and careful organization of internal space.

Consisting of twelve “houses” on two terraces, each “house” contains three apartments, including first floor units. An exterior staircase leads to a two-storey duplex unit, enhancing privacy with interconnected terraces. Brown brick with inlaid accents adds richness and texture to the building’s form, complemented by custom-made roof units and brick-clad lintels. The discreet elements feature a subtle bronze metallic finish, integrating tonally with the brickwork. This arrangement creates a highly articulated form that eliminates the view and offers a strong contemporary aesthetic.