Dickson Rothschild’s Post

From Bathurst to Liverpool to Lake Macquarie and beyond: Congrats to the Government Architects NSW team on the new NSW Housing Pattern Book—set to launch in mid-2025! The Pattern Book features five winning terrace and apartment designs selected from over 200 global submissions, pre-approved to streamline development applications and cut through red tape. These designs focus on: #Sustainability, #Flexibility and #Adaptability to Australian lifestyles They respond to the unique Australian climate, including a focus on indoor and outdoor living and how to incorporate shade and ventilation. This initiative aims to fill the ‘missing middle’ in NSW housing—bringing more mid-rise, adaptable living options into the market. Big thanks to the talented architects and our partners at Gov Architects NSW for making this a reality! https://lnkd.in/gGWRwwrf #NSWHousing #PatternBook #SustainableDesign #FutureHousing #GovArchitectsNSW Fiftyfive5, part of Accenture Song Accenture Song Accenture Australia Molly McMullan Mathew Densten Anna Parkinson

Unlocking Potential: Regenerating Infill Sites for New Homes With the UK facing an acute housing shortage and the challenges of balancing green belt preservation with urban expansion, the importance of utilizing underused brownfield and infill sites has never been greater. At Marjoram Architects, we’re proud to play a part in tackling this issue through innovative and thoughtful design. Our Croydon Homes project is a prime example of how design can transform constrained urban sites into vibrant, affordable housing. Collaborating with developer Lightbox London, we worked on feasibility studies for three challenging infill sites as part of Croydon Council’s regeneration programme. These sites, though small and complex, offered an opportunity to provide much-needed two- and three-bedroom family homes for the borough. Key features of the project include: - Modular construction-ready designs to streamline building processes. - Generous fenestration ensuring ample natural light for improved well-being. - A contemporary material palette, respectful of local architecture while reimagining it for modern living. By considering these smaller, often-overlooked spaces, we can contribute to a solution that respects the environment, enhances communities, and addresses the housing crisis head-on. Let us know your thoughts on the role of infill development in tackling the UK’s housing challenges. Could this approach be an answer to unlocking urban potential? Explore the concepts through the carousel below. #HousingSolutions #BrownfieldDevelopment #UrbanRegeneration #ArchitecturalDesign #AffordableHousing #MarjoramArchitects

Canada and the USA aren't alone in having an affordable housing crisis: Australia is facing the same situation. However, here are two examples of innovative social housing projects that are offering new hope. The Midtown MacPark and Nightingale developments show that affordable housing can be thoughtfully designed, creating vibrant communities where residents feel proud to live. These projects, prioritizing design and community building, stand as models for how we can rethink housing to foster dignity and inclusivity. With amenities like gardens, communal spaces, and sustainable architecture, they’re reshaping the future of affordable housing. Read the article here: https://buff.ly/40bv1Xo #AffordableHousing #CommunityLiving #HousingCrisis #UrbanDesign #SocialHousing

Buchan's Carol Leung joined peers for an engaging panel discussion at Sydney Build last week on ‘Reimagining Suburbs of NSW: Innovation at the Heart of Design’. The panel considered the modern definition of a 'suburb', evolving perceptions, and the sustainability implications of ongoing urban sprawl, along with the influence of housing policies on ‘good design’. One key topic explored was the Build to Rent (BTR) model, seen as a solution to provide higher-quality housing and adapt to changing demands. There was also discussion around evolving BTR into 'Build-To-Rent-To-Buy', as a way to potentially address the intergenerational housing wealth gap and revitalise neighbourhood communities affected by short-term rentals.   Changes in planning through the new TOD developments and Pattern Book of Housing were also recognised as a positive step forward, but that there was need for more open dialogue between government stakeholders, better oversight and longer-term thinking and a multi-disciplinary design approach to challenge the ways we densify to support a better outcome in the evolution of our suburbs and cities.   #buchan #design #architecture #masterplanning #urbanplanning #urbanrenewal #suburbanrenewal #BTR #community #sydney #sydneybuild

🇺🇸 Preserving the Past While Building the Future: The Case of Windermere, FL Windermere, a charming town in the heart of Orange County, Florida, is a community rich in history, spanning 135 years. With approximately 3,112 residents, a median age of 52.7 years, and a median household income of $156,042, the town reflects a mature, established, and thriving community. One fascinating aspect of Windermere is that many streets in its downtown area remain unpaved. This isn’t due to a lack of infrastructure but rather a conscious choice by residents to preserve the town’s historical charm. These dirt roads stand as a tangible reminder of Windermere’s origins, creating an atmosphere that blends tradition and authenticity. For real estate developers, cases like Windermere highlight the importance of a thoughtful and respectful approach when planning projects in any community. It’s not just about building; it’s about adding value. Every town has its own culture, history, and specific characteristics that must be understood and respected. In Windermere, this means planning developments that seamlessly integrate into the existing historical and cultural fabric. This approach not only preserves the town’s legacy but also promotes sustainable growth, ensuring that development aligns with the community’s values and expectations. Windermere’s story reminds us that real estate development is about more than just land and numbers—it’s about people, places, and the preservation of identities. #UrbanPlanning #RealEstateDevelopment #Sustainability #LocalCulture #Architecture #CommunityDevelopment

Wilson Mason are supporting Fairhaven Housing Association Ltd and Warden Construction Ltd with the development of innovative housing solutions, designed to meet the evolving needs of todays and tomorrow’s generations. With a focus on delivering age-targeted housing, each development will seek to blend contemporary design requirements with a deep understanding of the human lifespan and well-being. Through our collective expertise and extensive research, we are committed to creating tangible social value. At the heart of each project will be a commitment to health span, the concept of not only living longer but living better. By integrating accessible features, sustainable materials, and age-inclusive designs, we are creating spaces that promote physical health, mental well-being, and a vibrant quality of life, empowering residents to live independently and comfortably as they age. Each project goes beyond architecture; it’s a strategic social value initiative, a response to the pressing need for innovative housing solutions that address the challenges and opportunities presented by an aging population, each development isn’t just about providing homes but creating environments that enrich lives for years to come. Together, we are building a future where longevity means vitality and aging means thriving. #Fairhaven #WardenConstruction #SocialValue #Sustainability

I write this posting now several weeks after meeting the new residents of the HousingFirst Marlborough Street development. A workshop organised by HousingFirst Ltd presenting a unique opportunity for me to meet the community, now settled into their new homes. 
A chance to reflect on an experience which I believe our profession of architects needs to do more: engage with, more fundamentally, the people for which we are designing. Rather than designing purely through the matrix of our legislative apartment design manuals. 
I have benefitted from having met the real people who need a roof over their heads. To understand the safety they need to feel, the community stability they crave, the health and comfort we must offer and the cost-of-living burdens they endure. 
The benefit i have gained will be brought to the next project, then the next, as the State and Federal Governments seek to ramp up the construction of social and affordable housing. They must be delivered in the most meaningful way for these communities, so listening to the obstacles the residents face is an essential piece of the design puzzle. 
Designing and constructing empathetically and sustainably is the only way to ease the long-term cost of living woes for the residents, and create harmonious communities. Government targets are one part of this, and we must seek to exceed these where possible. However the real challenge will be meeting the initial increase of costs and this is where Government really needs to step in to support the industry. 
On a final note, I was deeply humbled by the connection between the residents and their flora and fauna. Seeing the residents bond with their pets and plants was touching. Fish, budgerigars and balconies over-flowing with flora. We must maximise opportunities for connecting our communities with biodiversity with each new social housing project! Let’s exceed our targets and create spaces that truly improve lives and foster community. #Melbourne  #HousingFirst #BaldassoCortese #CollaborateCreateConnect #AustralianArchitecture #ArchitectureAU  #CommunityHousing

Green light for Oldfield Basin 🏡 We've been granted #planningconsent for a new #sustainable and #affordable neighbourhood, set to create a further 90 #Passivhaus homes in #Salford. Building on the success of nearby #Greenhaus and #Willohaus, #OldfieldBasin sits next to #IslingtonMill, one of Greater Manchester’s most important bases for artists and #creative businesses. On completion, the new homes will be acquired and managed by hashtag #DeriveRP, an independent housing provider created by Salford City Council to deliver #affordable and #socialhousing across the city. Read more: https://lnkd.in/en9A2Adm Part of #SalfordCentral with Homes England | Legal & General | Muse | Salford City Council | DeriveRP | Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) | re-form Landscape Architecture Ltd | DPP #placemaking #partnership #affordablehomes #sustainablehomes

Green light for Oldfield Basin 🏡 Working with our partners, we've been granted #planningconsent for a new #sustainable and #affordable neighbourhood, set to create a further 90 #Passivhaus homes in #Salford. Building on the success of nearby #Greenhaus and #Willohaus, #OldfieldBasin sits next to #IslingtonMill, one of Greater Manchester’s most important bases for artists and #creative businesses. On completion, the new homes will be acquired and managed by #DeriveRP, an independent housing provider created by Salford City Council to deliver #affordable and #socialhousing across the city. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ez2vuaRp Part of #SalfordCentral, an ECF project with Homes England | Legal & General | Salford City Council | DeriveRP | Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) | re-form Landscape Architecture Ltd | DPP #placemaking #partnership #affordablehomes #sustainablehomes

Plans to redevelop New Haven's Church Street South site aim to transform a neglected public housing area into Union Square, a vibrant, mixed-use development with affordable housing and public spaces. As we reimagine cities, it’s vital to consider Jane Jacobs’ principles—building for the long-term while respecting the area’s spatial context. Any demolition must carefully address reparations for displaced tenants, prioritizing their well-being in the urban renewal process. #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCities #AffordableHousing https://lnkd.in/gUJEArST