Hurlstone Park Terraces | Adaptive Reuse

This adaptive reuse project in Hurlstone Park explores how an underutilised large community building can be repurposed into an affordable rental housing development through strategic architectural design.

Zoning
The site is zoned R2 Low Density Residential and is located within a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA), requiring a sensitive and compliant approach to redevelopment.

Constraints & Opportunities
The existing building occupies the full site footprint, built to all boundaries, which significantly limits conventional redevelopment options. However, the retained structure and established streetscape presence present an opportunity to work within the existing envelope and preserve the character of the area. The HCA context further reinforces the importance of maintaining the façade and overall heritage contribution.

Design Strategy
The architectural design intent was rather than to demolish, to adaptively reuse and work with this existing structure by providing it with a new life through introducing eight townhouses in its shell. The final design stripped back the robust building to its original period brick fabric and then installed contemporary dormer windows to provide light and articulation but also speak to the new life springing from the old. The scheme carefully carves out internal volumes to create functional, light-filled homes, complemented by integrated pockets of green space positioned behind the retained street frontage. This approach balances density with amenity, providing private outdoor areas while maintaining a strong connection to the original built form.

Approval Pathway
The project has been developed as a conceptual design to test feasibility within the constraints of the R2 zoning and HCA controls, forming a basis for future planning discussions and potential Development Application pathways.

Outcome / Value Proposition
This project demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can unlock value from challenging, built-out sites. By reimagining an existing structure through adaptive reuse, the scheme delivers a sustainable and contextually responsive outcome that aligns with heritage objectives while creating a viable residential product.

Our engaged services extended to preparing the concept design, architectural documentation and project management of the consultancy team for feasibility.

Architect | McCullum Ashby Architects

Medium Density Housing | Canterbury-Bankstown Council

Site Area = ~659m² | 8 dwellings | 0 car spaces

Keywords | Multi-dwelling, terraces, adaptive reuse, heritage.