Sydney’s Rhodes East redevelopment to focus on biophilic design
The winning design for the Parramatta River precinct will be a mix of retail, dining and residential options
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Rhodes East in Sydney’s inner west is one step closer to rejuvenation on the Parramatta River foreshore with the announcement of the design competition winner for 25-27 Leeds Street.
The winning proposal is by award-winning architectural firm SJB and Land And Form and is based on biophilic principles, with landscape integrated throughout the collection of buildings, which will offer a mix of retail, dining and residential options across a 6,000sqm site.
Director of Land and Form Ro Iyer, said the design allows the public and private spaces to transition from the natural foreshore into more urban spaces.
“The public domain embraces the unique geographical setting and confluence of where the Parramatta River meets Rhodes,” Iyer said. “The foreshore design represents this transition from natural to urban, creating an iconic destination that looks to restore and enhance important ecological assets and allow people to actively engage with the Parramatta River, setting a high-quality precedent for the Rhodes East Precinct.”
The residential development has been designed for maximum solar comfort. At least 85 percent of apartments will have desirable outlooks, with residences facing internal courtyards still enjoying glimpses of the river.
SJB and developer Billbergia have come together again on this site, having already successfully teamed up on nearby Rhodes Central.
“SJB has a long-running connection with Rhodes, completing the first masterplan for the regeneration of the suburb in 2005,” director of SJB Nick Hatzi said. “Our proposal for Leeds Street opens up new connections to the water and reflects SJB’s approach to permeable and civic-centric mixed-use development.”
SJB and Billbergia won Development of the Year – Mixed Use at the recent Urban Developer National Awards for Industry Excellence for Rhodes Central.
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Blending brutalist strength with warm, refined interiors, Rumah is a bold architectural statement in Brighton’s coastal enclave — a designer family home where luxury meets liveability.
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Rumah means “home” in Indonesian and Malay, and it’s clear this designer property in Melbourne’s coveted beachside enclave of Brighton is a dream house in any language.
The uber-contemporary residence is a collaboration between builders Belot Property, Seidler Group architects, and the interiors team at Golden.
The result is a modern marvel that combines a brutalist concrete exterior ready to weather its coastal setting with inviting interiors using a mix of textures, from French oak to metal and brick finishes.
Just listed with Kay & Burton Bayside agents, Rae Mano, Matthew Pillios and Jamie Mi, the prestige property is on the market via a private treaty campaign with price expectations of between $10.5 million and $11.5 million.
Created to be a great entertainer while maintaining a level of discreet privacy, Rumah is, at its heart, a warm, family-friendly home that ticks all the boxes for detail-oriented design connoisseurs.
A palette of contradictions, Rumah blends angular and rounded forms, features hard steel and glass, and effortlessly incorporates the earthy finishes of brick and timber for a holistic sensory experience.
Beyond the oversized pivot door sits a large structural column wrapped in gold leaf, setting the tone for the rest of the residence. The three-storey layout offers a choice of multigenerational spaces, from the ground-floor everyday living level to the accommodation wing on the top floor and the large basement “clubhouse.”
At the heart of the home, a gourmet kitchen features a dramatic island bench, high-end appliances, and a full butler’s pantry. Multiple spaces feed off the kitchen, including a vast dining area and a large living room, which both spill out through full-height glazed doors to either a side barbecue terrace or the poolside deck to the rear.
Even the downstairs entertainer’s room – also known as the club – is effectively poolside thanks to an innovative glass viewing window framing swimmers and cleverly connecting the subterranean level to the rest of the home. This games room also houses a sophisticated bar, a wine cellar, integrated night club style lounge seating and a full bathroom.
Additionally, the lower floor features a hidden laundry room, two store rooms, direct access to a huge five-car garage with a convenient turning circle, and an extra bedroom or home office.
Via the private elevator, the top floor is dedicated to after-hours living. It has four spacious bedrooms, each with its own ensuite and walk-in wardrobes. In the luxurious primary suite, there is a hotel-inspired ensuite with a unique kidney-shaped freestanding bath and a dressing room.
Rumah’s added extras include warming indoor and outdoor fireplaces, automatic blinds, feature lighting, marble accents, bespoke wallpaper, built-in bedheads, an external spa and low-maintenance landscaped gardens.
Positioned on the corner of William and Halifax Sts, the 21st-century beach house is opposite William St Reserve, close to Brighton Primary School.
Rumah at 91 William St, Brighton is on the market via private sale with Kay & Burton Bayside and has a sales guide of $10.5 million and $11.5 million.
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Instagram may be full of dreamy interiors, but architect Georgina Wilson says what works on social media doesn’t always translate to real life. As one of Australia’s most-followed architects, Wilson has seen first-hand how influencer-led design shapes—and sometimes sabotages—our homes. From impractical layouts to fast-fashion finishes, here are five biggest myths she’s busting. 1. Form …
