One
of the central tenets of Modernism, beyond style, was the provision
of mass, economical housing, constructed of authentic techniques.Poverty
is not a disgrace. Not everyone can have been born lord of a great
feudal demesne. To try and act as if one is both absurd and immoral.
We must not be ashamed of the fact that we rent a flat in a building
with many other people on the same social level as ourselves. We
should not be ashamed of the fact that there are some building
materials which are too expensive for us… Adolf
Loos – Potemkin CityVer
Sacrum
July 1898 The
apartment project, located in the heart of Bankstown’s town centre. Comprises 54 apartments and 2 retail/ home office units that provide
a diverse mix of accommodation. Commodity,
Firmness and Delight are translated into today’s currency: - High
Density- Low
Cost - Environmental
Performance - Design
Quality The
building is articulated in plan and elevation as a series of linked
blocks along a circulation spine. Breaks and deep insets in the
building volumes allow each part to clearly express its own
organization, character and constructive technique.The
project has a distinctive architectural character and scale that will
be an appropriate addition to Bankstown’s urban landscape. Large
scale precast concrete wall elements are overlaid with finely scaled
aluminium and mesh sun shading. The concrete panels have a paint
finish, whereas aluminium elements are powder-coated in vibrant
colour.(text by Hill Thalis Architecture + Urban Projects,Architects in association)