THE GRID Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, Australia | 1998 - 2001

The Grid is a seven storey apartment building containing 38 units comprised of 24 one bedroom, 12 two bedroom, and 2 three bedroom penthouse apartments. There are 2 underground parking levels containing 44 car spaces.

All units have north facing living areas with large terraces, while bedrooms are on the south, with a centrally located freestanding service pod.

All units are naturally ventilated with cross ventilation through the units by way of the south facing terraces of the two and three bedroom units, and two internal light/ventilation shafts at the southern end of the one bedroom units. The lift and stair tower is located on the southern street elevation which is vertically articulated into 5 elements. The two bedroom units on the east and west flanks which have adjustable aluminium louvres to their terraces, providing privacy and noise reduction to the street, are separated from the lift and stair tower by two recessed bays of clear glazing to the lift lobbies. This provides natural light to the lobbies as well as views out over Paddington to the South. At night these illuminated lobbies provide added life to the building and allow views into the two shallow ponds at the base of the light shafts.

The structure is of large precast concrete wall panels and Ultrafloor slabs creating the simple grid like structure which is fully expressed on the north elevation, with each apartment being a simple rectangular tube running right through the building from north to south. The two penthouse apartments are lightweight steel construction with precast concrete walls. The lift and stair tower is clad in composite Aluminium cladding panels. There are very large roof terraces to both the north and south of the penthouses and a large internal courtyard opening off the main bedroom, which is separated from the entry hall by clear sliding glass doors.

There are expansive views to the north over Rushcutter’s Bay to Sydney Harbour, and south over Paddington from the upper 4 levels, while the lower 3 levels have views over the 25m lap pool and gardens to the north.

Photographer: Ross Honeysett