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Surry Hills Village by SJB and TOGA
A project nearly a decade in the making, Surry Hills Village – designed by SJB and developed by TOGA – is as much a masterpiece in urban renewal as it is a case study in architectural excellence.
Drawing upon the expertise of various local Australian designers, including Studio Prineas, BKH and Aspect Studios, the mixed-use precinct, designed around connection to community, is destined to breathe life back into the southern end of Surry Hills in inner-city Sydney, where Cleveland Street marks the border with Redfern.
“The village is our local, so we’re incredibly excited to have contributed to the physical vibrancy and diversity of our neighbourhood,” says Adam Haddow, director at SJB. “It’s our hope that it becomes an active southern anchor for Crown Street while, at the same time, stitching Surry Hills and Redfern together across Cleveland Street.”
Representing another chapter in the storied history of collaboration between SJB and Brickworks, Surry Hills Village utilises a wide variety of brick and block products to create a design concept that sits comfortably within the elevated urban surrounds. A combination of full bricks, brick facings, pavers and the recently released Thin Tech Plus brick system have been specified by SJB to give the development a sense of strength and permanence, echoing the resilience for which the local community is known.
“When there is attention to sustainability and design, as well as landscaping and the tree canopy, everyone in the community benefits … And, after nearly four years of construction, the area is buzzing on a Saturday morning,” says Lesley Holden, a resident of the village. Purposely selected to sit comfortably next to the existing brick facade of the iconic New South Wales Mounted Police Unit headquarters, the partnership between Brickworks and SJB here offers architectural longevity as well as a sustainable approach to design.
The true beauty of the Surry Hills Village precinct lies in its ability to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, offering subtle moments of expressionism while elevating the location through nuanced design outcomes. To achieve this result, brick was the natural choice, offering durability, low maintenance and resilience, and personifying Brickworks’ mantra: bettering the built environment through ‘beautiful products that last forever.’
The true beauty of the Surry Hills Village precinct lies in its ability to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, elevating the location through nuanced design outcomes.
Representing a new dawn in the history of one of Sydney’s most vibrant suburbs, Surry Hills Village presents a vision for the future of urban renewal while respecting the fabric of existing communities. “[The village] continues SJB’s exploration into mixed-use, inner-city living. Apartments, terraces, garden apartments, penthouses with generous rooftops and shared communal gardens are interspersed as a series of ‘villages’,” explains Rachel Yabsley, a studio associate at SJB. “The diversity of the broader precinct provides a unique offering to residents and a new neighbourhood at their doorstep.”
Architecture by SJB. Developed by TOGA. Bricks by Brickworks.
