Consciously Conceived – Norwest Quarter by Mulpha, Bates Smart and Smart Design Studio

Norwest Quarter is an inspiring master-planned urban community situated in The Hills Shire, just out of Sydney. The project proposes a completely zero carbon community of over 2,000 residents across nine residential towers in a 3.8-hectare village containing retail, residential and public spaces.

The first stage – comprising of two buildings, Lacebark and Banksia – has commenced, already revealing impressive sustainability credentials within two inspired multi-residential designs. Developer Mulpha has created a community of its own to design this phase, enlisting architects Bates Smart to design Banksia and Smart Design Studio to design Lacebark, as well as environmental sustainability firm Finding Infinity, full life cycle landscape architects ASPECT Studios and urban designers Terroir.

Every element of the precinct has been designed through three conceptual pillars – sustainability, community and nature.

Every element of the precinct has been designed through three conceptual pillars – sustainability, community and nature. The commitment to these principles is evident throughout the master plan, with onsite rainwater collection and treatment, waste-water recycling, rooftop solar (feeding into an embedded grid) and effective passive design across all buildings. Mupha’s Head of Development Tim Spencer explains that “building sustainable communities requires identifying what truly makes a community healthy and environmentally, economically and emotionally sustainable – our mission has been to design this into all aspects of the built-form, landscaping, functionality and community life.”

As well as net zero carbon emissions, the master plan is targeting zero waste to landfill through on-site organic waste separation and treatment, worm farms, composting and community upcycling market days. The neighbourhood retail centre, which comprises the two lower levels of both buildings, will select retailers who demonstrate sustainable supply chains, ethically sourced goods and plastic- and packaging-free operation. Importantly, the construction of the precinct will prioritise a zero waste-ethos and employ both renewable energy and decarbonisation practices.

The commitment to community is fundamental; each building is itself idealised as a village within a village, fostering meaningful connections between neighbours.

The commitment to community is fundamental; each building is itself idealised as a village within a village, fostering meaningful connections between neighbours. The whole precinct features a swathe of shared spaces, open gardens with al fresco tables, BBQs and community veggie gardens, as well as a dedicated Norwest app intended to help residents to connect, share ideas and participate in events.

The importance placed on nature is evident throughout. The natural environment is not an afterthought but at the forefront of the siting and design of the buildings, with 70 per cent of the site to be plantings and landscaping. Aiming to rejuvenate the site, as well as to combat the urban heat island effect, a wild botanical forest sprawls between the towers. Green rooftops are a consistent theme within the precinct, and balcony planters are complete with plants carefully selected to match the orientation of the sun.

The scale and ambition of the master plan sees Norwest Quarter set a new benchmark for sustainable urban communities. The project shows that high-density urban living can benefit both the environment and its residents, while the designs for Lacebark and Banksia also reveal that best-practice sustainability and impactful architecture are a natural pairing.