Nova Apartments
Victoria Park, Zetland, Sydney
Turner + Associates Architects

Nova sets standard for Sydney's new green neighborhood

© Brett Boardman

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Turner + Associates’ Nova Apartments are located in the new Victoria Park neighborhood of Sydney, Australia. Projects in this neighborhood set the standard for the surrounding area’s transformation from an industrial zone into an urban center called Green Square.

Nova consists of two parallel blocks each 328 feet long, joined at both ends but punctuated by two internal courtyards; they contain a total of 114 units. Both the east and west elevations of the complex, its longest sides, face onto parks. Apartments here feature recessed balconies, screened by louvers that resemble letterbox openings. Since the apartments are each floor-throughs that allow for cross-ventilation, the building lacks air conditioning: an eco-friendly touch in keeping with the green-themed neighborhood redevelopment.

Nova's primary structure is a poured-in-place concrete load-bearing wall system with reinforced concrete floor slabs. Tilt-up precast concrete panels, poured on site, comprise the east and west façades. To liven these expanses of concrete, Turner articulated them with projecting “maisonette” boxes clad in timber. Apartments on the north and south elevations feature direct access to the streets and are clad partially with masonry, helping to eliven the neighborhood.

Formal name of Project:
Nova Apartments

Location:
Victoria Park, Zetland, Sydney

Gross square footage:
121,804 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$19.8 million

Owner:
Waltcorp

Architect:
Turner + Associates Architects
Level 1, 586 Crown Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Australia
61-2-9690-2855 tel.
61-2-9690-2411 fax
www.turnerassociates.com.au