Awards

• MBA NSW Excellence in Housing Award 2019

Upgrade & Remediation Project

BTB Architecture Studio was engaged by the owners of ‘Bridgeview’ to creatively and aesthetically rejuvenate the 1960’s apartment block while, at the same time, resolving extensive construction and regulatory shortcomings. The eight-storey residential building, containing 47 apartments, suffered from long-term, widespread water ingress, non-existent thermal and acoustic insulation and extensive fire safety and other building code shortfalls. Despite all apartments enjoying extensive Harbour Bridge, City and Opera House views, the building itself was also aesthetically unappealing, and apartments lacked even the smallest balconies from which to enjoy the context. 

Rather than simply and pragmatically remediating the problematic building fabric and upgrading the inadequate safety measures, the owners elected to use the opportunity to combine this work into an extensive and wholistic additional scope, to uplift the appearance, amenity and value of the building and their individual apartments. 

Marston Architecture was engaged for the initial phase of the project up to development approval with construction completed by Buildcorp Asset Solutions in late 2018. 

The finished project consists of:

• Fire and essential services upgrade

• Complete façade recladding and remodelling 

• Addition of balconies 

• Entry upgrade with enhanced signage and wayfinding

• Window replacement

• Integration of air conditioning infrastructure to individual apartments

The smoothly finished façade of curved cladding profiles, seamlessly integrates a complex set of remediation and engineering requirements, centralised and concealed services, added balconies and properly designed, high performance replacement doors and windows.

The project received the2019 NSW Master Builders Association “Home Unit Renovation – Open Price Category” Award, at the annual “Excellence in Housing Awards”.

Upgrade & Remediation Project

Sydney, NSW

BTB Architecture Studio was engaged by the Strata Committee of 5 Hunter Street, Sydney, a 10-storey office and retail building, in response to issues with the building’s precast concrete façade and street awnings. BTB prepared concept design options that would not only stabilise and make safe the façade but provided a muchneeded upgrade to and refreshment of the building’s public face. BTB concluded that the most appropriate and thorough remediation solution was to overclad the entire façade and replace the existing awnings. This gave the opportunity for innovative design responses exploring contemporary fabrication, patterns, colours and sun control measures, all informed by the building’s prominent location and context, to increase its overall appeal and value. The concept design options consider the following:

• Essential services upgrade

• Façade renovation

• New ESD initiatives

• Awning upgrade

• Opportunities for public art installation

• Connection and dialogue with adjacent heritage items

Upgrade & Remediation Project | Current

BTB Architecture Studio were engaged to undertake an investigation into and to report on options for the remediation and upgrade a 1960’s apartment block, overlooking Sydney Harbour. A report was prepared to detail various scopes of work, broken down into high priority, priority and overall building betterment. As well as addressing high priority issues, centred around BCA compliance, water ingress, hazardous materials and structural issues, BTB has proposed building betterment concepts including the addition of a swimming pool, gym, shared entertainment facilities, sun shading to balconies and internal landscaping to uplift a dark and lifeless atrium. In addition BTB have identified a number of development opportunities relating to the building and its site, which present the opportunity to offset some or all of the remediation and upgrade work to the building itself. BTB is collaborating with a preferred contractor to price the itemised scope of work, drawn from our report. From these documents, the building owners will decide on the extent of work to be undertaken, both essential and optional.

Potts Point NSW

Upgrade and Remediation Project

BTB Architecture Studio was engaged by the Strata Committee of Waratah Apartments, Potts Point NSW, in response to a number of maintenance and aesthetic issues relating to the building’s façades. BTB prepared a design masterplan report outlining methodology, recommendations and strategy for upgrade of the building’s facades. Issues addressed included:

• Balcony Drainage

• Replacement of canopy roofs and cladding

• Addition of shelter to unroofed balconies

• Sunscreening / sun control

• Facade treatment and articulation

• Entry Canopy at street entry

• Balcony balustrade upgrade

As part of the design report, a concept design was prepared that explored ways to incorporate upgrade strategies, improving the overall appearance and appeal of the building. Currently, BTB Architecture Studio is working with the Strata Committee to develop strategies identifed in the design report, with an aim to lodge a Development Application with Sydney City Council by 2022.

Kirribilli, NSW

Upgrade and Remediation Project

BTB Architecture Studio were engaged to undertake an investigation into and to report on options for the remediation and upgrade of a late 1950’s apartment block, overlooking Sydney Harbour. A report was prepared to detail various scopes of work, broken down into high priority, priority and overall building betterment. As well as addressing high priority issues, centred around BCA compliance, water ingress, and structural issues, BTB proposed building betterment concepts including:

• Lift replacement + relocation

• External door and window replacement • Entry and lift lobby upgrades

• Balcony, common area and roof terrace balustrade replacement

• Air conditioning infrastructure centralisation

• Common access walkway and corridor upgrade and refurbishment

• Way finding signage and graphics

• Replace garage doors

• Enlarged + added balconies

• Additional car parking spaces + landscaping

• Rooftop entertaining area and pavillion

BTB collaborated with a preferred contractor to price the itemised scope of work, drawn from our report. From these documents, the building owners will decide on the extent of work to be undertaken, both essential and optional.

Upgrade Feasibility Project

BTB Architecture Studio partnered with Buildcorp Asset Solutions to provide a proposal for ‘Building Betterment’ for a 1950’s apartment building sited on the Sydney Harbour foreshore in Kirribilli. The proposal considered the following:

• The addition of balconies to apartments. Despite the harbourside location, the existing apartments do not have balconies. The proposal explored options for the sensitive addition of balconies onto the building façade.

• Replacement doors and windows for improved ventilation, thermal performance and connection between apartment interiors and added balconies.

• Façade renovation and stabilisation.

• Common landscaped rooftop entertainment terrace, enjoying 180 degree views of the harbour, City, Opera House and Bridge.

• Repurposing of an existing rooftop pavilion room as a common space.

• Construction of car-stacking facilities to overcome a shortfall in on-site parking and street parking.

Upgrade Feasibility Project

BTB Architecture Studio partnered with Buildcorp Asset Solutions to provide a proposal for ‘building betterment’ for a very prominent, 1970’s apartment building on Sydney’s prestigious Darling Point. Apartments in the building enjoy sweeping harbour views but relatively small balconies and outmoded door and window configurations curtail optimal enjoyment of the place. The proposal considered the following:

• Additions to enlarge existing balconies, including new balustrades, sunshading and lighting.

• Replacement doors and windows for improved ventilation, thermal performance and connection between apartment interiors and balconies.

• Façade renovation and stabilisation.

• Project cost offset by construction of new rooftop penthouse.

Upgrade Feasibility Project

BTB Architecture Studio partnered with Buildcorp Asset Solutions to provide a proposal for ‘Building Betterment’ for a 1970’s residential apartment building in Bondi. The proposal considered the following:

• Additions to enlarge existing balconies, including new balustrades and sunshading. The enlarged balconies sought to connect more rooms in each apartment to the external beachside environment.

• Replacement doors and windows for improved ventilation, thermal performance and connection between apartment interiors and balconies.

• Façade renovation and stabilisation.

• Common landscaped rooftop entertainment terrace, enjoying 270 degree views of beach and harbour.

• Potential project cost offset by construction of new, studio accommodation at the rear of the existing building rooftop penthouse.

Upgrade Feasibility Project

The Strata Managers for this 1970’s apartment building sought construction tenders from remedial builders for essential maintenance works. Buildcorp Asset Solutions, approached BTB Architecture Studio to provide a suggested ‘value uplift’ proposal for a broadened scope of work that would provide a wholistic, designed approach to both remediate the building and enhance the appearance and amenity of individual apartments. The proposal considered the following:

• Additions to enlarge existing balconies, including new balustrades and sunshading. The enlarged balconies sought to connect more rooms to the external environment with access to sweeping coastal views.

• Replacement doors and windows for improved ventilation, thermal performance and connection between interiors and balconies.

• Façade renovation and stabilisation.

• Potential project cost offset by construction of new penthouse accommodation on the existing rooftop, integrated into vertical circulation, lifts, service risers etc.

Cladding Replacement Project

BTB Architecture Studio partnered with Apex Diagnostics to prepare a planning application to replace non-compliant, polyethylene core Aluminium Cladding Panels (ACP) on the façades of an office building in Sydney’s CBD. BTB prepared drawings, sample panels and a Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) for submission to the Local Government Authority, City of Sydney Council. The work entailed the following:

• A two-stage planning application for replacement of non-compliant aluminium composite cladding panels.

• Investigation of options to match the colours and finishes of the replacement panels with the existing panels.

• Investigation of internal fire upgrade work needed in a podium-top childcare centre to create complying egress pathways and safe spaces for the evacuation of children.

• Advice on and input into the proposed extent of cladding replacement.

Cladding replacement Project

BTB Architecture Studio partnered with Spectrum Property and Projects to prepare a planning application to replace noncompliant, polyethylene core Aluminium Cladding Panels (ACP) on the façades of an office building in Sydney’s CBD. BTB liaised with Fire Engineers, Consultant Planners, Contractors and Project Managers before preparing drawings and sample panels for submission to the Local Government Authority, North Sydney Council. The work entailed the following:

• A planning application for replacement of non-compliant aluminium composite cladding panels.

• Investigation of options to match the colours and finishes of the replacement panels with the existing panels.

• Advice on and input into the proposed extent of cladding replacement.

Cladding Replacement Project

BTB Architecture Studio prepared a planning application to replace non-compliant, polyethylene core Aluminium Cladding Panels (ACP) on the façades of a large civic building in Auburn, dating from around 2000. BTB prepared drawings, sample panels and a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for submission to the Local Government Authority, Cumberland Council. The work entailed the following:

• Planning application for replacement of non-compliant aluminium composite cladding panels.

• Exploration of options to change the colours and finishes of the replacement panels to refresh the buildings appearance on completion.

• Ongoing advice and research during construction in relation to compliance, detail, material upgrades and replacements.