Marrick & Co

Inner West Council needed a partner to redevelop the former Marrickville Hospital site in a way that would satisfy a highly engaged community, respect heritage assets, deliver a much-needed new public library and community facilities, and provide new housing in a sought-after location where medium density is rare. Marrickville, with its history of environmental activism and strong community values, was the perfect suburb for Mirvac to establish its first One Planet Living community, thereby reaching a key milestone in its broader sustainability strategy. Residential architecture would need to feel harmonious with the scale and character of the surrounding neighbourhood.

A well-resolved ground plane seamlessly integrates two new residential buildings with adaptive reuse of heritage fabric, public green spaces and a landmark Council Library and Pavilion, which were designed by BVN and delivered by Mirvac. Residential architecture by Mirvac Design in collaboration with Tonkin Zulaikha Greer delivers 225 apartments/terraces, including affordable housing units and two whole-floor residences within the meticulously restored former Nurses’ Quarters. Built forms embrace a varied skyline and diverse solutions to reflect the character of surrounding streets and Marrickville’s unique spirit. Massing is minimised on Lilydale Street via a two-storey terrace base, with two setbacks above.

As the first One Planet Living community in NSW, Marrick & Co reimagines urban life as kinder to the planet and the people in it, setting a benchmark for future development. Environmentally, 95% of construction waste was diverted from landfill through heritage adaptive reuse and recycled/repurposed materials. Among its many sustainability features are water-sensitive urban design, rainwater harvesting, energy-saving measures and collaborative consumption. Integration of green space allows for equitable access to public amenity, encourages active living and engages community. Now 89% sold, its One Planet Living status plus high-quality community assets have greatly added to Mirvac’s brand value.

The original masterplan was altered in favour of a strong street alignment, opening the way for a central green common and permeability through to the library, pavilion and Hospital Lane. Prominent white chevrons articulate façades to continue the geometry of neighbouring rooftops and the library’s sawtooth roof. From Lilydale Street, heritage forms remain visually prominent to allow interpretation as the main public frontage of the former hospital. Concurrent, coordinated development of residential and community components has allowed for harmonious resolution of the ground plane. This has enhanced legibility and safe access for residents and users. The project’s sustainability goals, heritage requirements, and landmark community assets have demanded high-spec, bespoke materials and innovative techniques. Timbers for the library have been recycled from a bridge in northern NSW. Bricks salvaged from the site have been repurposed in a full-width feature wall. Locality is further imprinted on the groundline via lobby murals by local artists. Complex public domain landscape and inground services have also been innovative. The main overland flow path has been integrated into the urban design as Hospital Lane. The library’s sawtooth roof collects rainwater into tanks which form part of the main landscape design, to visually reinforce sustainability values.