Brickworks recently commissioned architects Kennedy Nolan to participate in a thought-leadership exercise titled Our Next Neighbourhood. The speculative design project directly responds to the current housing crisis in Australia and explores how suburban housing typologies could look if materiality, adaptability and scalability were held central to all design decisions.
In their research, Kennedy Nolan drew on precedents from two Australian mass housing heavyweights Merchant Builders and Pettit and Sevitt – recognising how the respective firms were able to deliver thoughtfully designed homes at scale while maintaining “a strong architectural identity and connection to landscape”.
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These precedents, along with a desire to improve flexibility for modern lifestyles, inspired a neighbourhood scheme comprising a variety of home prototypes that present distinct character with shared liveability goals.
Achieving this kind of adaptability required Kennedy Nolan to challenge conventional floorplan approaches, so that the designs could be reconfigurable to accommodate changing family structures without compromising construction scalability. Outdoor zones were prioritised within the site plan, allowing ample space for canopy trees which would aid in the occupant’s connection to nature while also providing shade and privacy. A series of centralised courtyards with operable glazing were specifically designed to support passive thermal regulation, promoting cross-ventilation, natural light and airflow.
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Throughout the precinct, materials were selected for their recyclability to support a more circular economy and climate-sensitive design.
Kennedy Nolan’s response was documented as a report and presented to architects and media delegates at an event held at the Brickworks showroom in Sydney.