Nightingale Marrickville crowned Pioneering

At the NSW Apartment Awards for Excellence Nightingale Marrickville demonstrated how a a partnership between SJB and Fresh Hope Communities secured a 99-year lease and provided 54 much-needed homes for First Nations Australians, single women over 55, individuals with a disability, and key community contributors.

Sustainability was at the core of this project. Paperock was used throughout kitchens, wardrobes, and vanities, while rubber flooring was crafted from raw cocoa husks. The unfinished AFS wall system was carefully set out using its original dimensions to minimise construction waste.

With 36 rooftop solar panels, the building generates at least 21 kWp of its own electricity, to improve the building’s performance and deliver a great sustainable outcome.  Located just 150 meters from Marrickville train station, residents are encouraged to cycle, with access to generous bike storage.

To complement the small footprint homes, two communal spaces have been created at each end of level one. These feature a large kitchen, dining area, and outdoor terrace.

Places for residents to gather, prepare meals together, and enjoy access to larger appliances. To further enhance amenity while saving space, communal laundry and drying areas have also been provided. Residents can connect with nature through a shared garden terrace, complete with a thriving community vegetable garden.

The building also houses two commercial spaces, both with a focus on community activation.  A community gallery that will provide a space for local artists to exhibit their work, host knowledge exchanges and run creative workshops. The second space - a restaurant, plans to run community cooking classes and a variety of community driven events.

At its heart, this project was about creating a micro-community. To help nurture and sustain it, a dedicated community manager lives on-site, encouraging residents to take part in events, workshops, and exhibitions, held both in the ground floor retail spaces and throughout the building.

AAA wished to commend and acknowledge Nightingale Marrickville and SJB/Fresh Hope Communities for showing such leadership in this current housing crisis. The project also received the Affordability award and special commendation for Diversity in housing choice.