Sydney’s newest affordable rental housing development has opened in Waterloo, with residents set to move into Boronia Apartments within the Danks Street Precinct. The project is a collaboration between City West Housing, one of New South Wales’ largest providers of affordable rental housing, and architecture and design practice TURNER.

Boronia Apartments comprises 74 affordable rental homes, including a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom dwellings intended for long-term tenants on low to moderate incomes. The development sits within an area undergoing significant change, transitioning from a light industrial past into a mixed-use precinct incorporating new housing, public spaces and laneways.

TURNER’s design aims to respond both to the site’s existing urban conditions and its anticipated future context. Apartments address each street frontage, with multiple building entries improving accessibility and permeability. At the heart of the development, a north-facing central courtyard provides a shared outdoor space and a social focus for residents.

“City West Housing has extensive experience in providing accessible and appropriate housing solutions,” says Dan Szwaj, director at TURNER. “Their development team takes their social responsibility seriously and is actively involved in the design and delivery process.”

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A key design principle for the project was blind tenure, ensuring the building is visually indistinguishable from market-rate housing. “It should be a building that anyone would choose to live in, regardless of income or circumstance,” Szwaj adds. “As an architectural practice, we understand the broader social value of affordable housing and are motivated by the benefits these projects bring to communities.”

City West Housing CEO Leonie King notes that collaboration was central to the project’s outcome. “By working closely with TURNER, our builder Growthbuilt and all levels of government, we’ve delivered housing that responds to the diverse needs of residents while maintaining a strong focus on quality and community.”

Sustainability and comfort informed the design approach, with passive strategies incorporated throughout. Rooftop solar panels power common areas, while cross-ventilation, external shading and privacy screens help to reduce energy use and improve internal comfort. Tenant feedback was also incorporated during the design process, contributing to decisions around safety, accessibility and amenity.

TURNER
turnerstudio.com.au

Photography
Barton Taylor