On a level site of approx 13,300 sqm, the brief from the Housing & Development Board was to maximise the number of public housing units given the density controls. The units would be an almost equal mixture of sale and short term rental dwellings. This equated to 572 dwelling units (282 sale and 290 rental). Discretion between the two market segments had be considered so as to not affect amenity between them.

Our design approach considered the site as two distinct zones with a centrally positioned multi-storey carpark acting as both buffer and connector to the two housing types. Within each zone, detailed planning developed the sale units into two towers and the rental units into a singular block of three staggered annexes. This enabled the rental bock to be substantially lower in height and scale than the sale towers ensuring their value enhancement. A rooftop garden over the carpark would enhance the open area landscaping to the entire estate.

The sold blocks comprised 2 and 3 bedroom units with 1 room units consistent across the rental annexes. Given the reduced areas of the units, in line with the prevailing public housing norms, the challenge was to address the efficiency of the usable to non-usable areas so as to increase the unit numbers and ensure the project viability. Block design was critical in ensuring the efficiency was obtained without compromising the staggered massing of the estate.