Strickland Building

STRICKLAND BUILDING

SYDNEY NSW | 1914

Municipal Council of Sydney (Robert Hargreave Brodrick, architect and building surveyor and James Henry Merriman, assistant architect)

The NSW Housing Act (1912) enabled the City of Sydney to borrow money to build housing in the inner-city area for workers to live close to work. The series of projects completed were contentious and opponents, such as the chairman of the Sydney Harbour Trust, argued that harbour land was too commercially valuable and less suitable for housing than suburban estates.

In response to this opposition, the Strickland Building sought to provide high levels of residential and community amenity while achieving significant building density. The building engaged with the street through a symmetrical, stepped footprint with a series of distinct protruding entries and balconies. This design enlivened the façade, defined the street edge and gave back landscape at the setbacks.

The architects experimented with an extended perimeter wall and light wells to provide natural light and air to internal service rooms. An expansive roof terrace fostered community interaction, with shared laundry facilities and space for children to play.