Small, sustainable homes take the spotlight in Surry Hills as Sydney architect Adam Haddow clinches the prestigious 2023 Robin Boyd Award from the Australian Institute of Architects for his compact 69-sqm residence.
As Surry Hills residents grapple with a housing crisis of significant magnitude, architects are redefining the landscape. In an era when the traditional four-bedroom standalone house, averaging 229 sqm, faces scrutiny., Haddow’s 1.5-bedroom home on a modest 30-square-meter parcel of land challenges conventional city living.
Repurposing unloved materials is the hallmark of Haddow’s design. Broken bricks from the Phoenix Central Park project and budget-friendly marble and tiles found new life in his creation. This resulted in a home that’s both functional and whimsical, inside and out, proving small can indeed be beautiful.
Photo Credit: Australian Institute of Architects / Anson Smart
Sustainability is the name of the game. Smaller, more eco-friendly homes are on the rise, with architects increasingly drawn to these projects. They recognise the unique challenges these compact designs present, making the recognition even more remarkable.
Photo Credit: Australian Institute of Architects / Chris Bennett
The renewal and restoration of the Sydney Opera House’s concert hall by ARM Architecture also earned resounding applause from the jury. It’s deemed “awe-inspiring” and scooped top awards in interior architecture and heritage categories.
Photo Credit: Australian Institute of Architects / Brett Boardman
In NSW, accolades extend to educational and public architecture. Cranbrook School’s Hordern Oval Precinct Redevelopment and Architectus’ partnership with SANAA for the new wing of the Art Gallery of New South Wales have both earned national recognition.
Photo Credit: Australian Institute of Architects / Rory Gardiner
In Victoria, it’s all about creative use of readily available materials. Merricks Farmhouse and Spring Creek Farm House showcased what can be achieved with off-the-shelf products from Bunnings.
Photo Credit: Australian Institute of Architects / Tom Ross
Architects urge a reevaluation of the notion that bigger is always better. Battisson, the outgoing national president of the Australian Institute of Architects, suggests smaller, well-designed homes, ideally suited for couples, could alleviate the housing crisis.
Photo Credit: Australian Institute of Architects / Tom Ross
Melbourne’s Nightingale Village offers a blueprint for affordable and sustainable living. The village features apartments designed by six architectural practices, providing diverse solutions to the housing challenge.
Overall, Battisson urges a shift in how homes are portrayed in photographs, favouring a more realistic, lived-in approach. Homes are meant to be lived in, with all their joy and occasional messiness.
This recognition of small, sustainable, and innovative housing solutions marks a pivotal moment in Surry Hills’ architectural landscape, offering hope and inspiration for residents facing the housing crisis.
Published 4-November-2023