Conveniently located in Melbourne’s Auburn Village, Newburgh Light House presents a highly sustainable housing solution, accommodating up to 21 people over 10 levels, on an almost un-buildable 150m2 site, right on a historic train station.
With no street access, and a north facade directly abutting VicTrack land, complicated fire, building methodology, acoustics, equitable light and stability requirements dominated much of the design process. The response by Splinter Society was a mini tower with a full level for each residence, using glass block as a key material to achieve fire and light requirements.
Conceptually, the translucent facades, combined with reflective finishes throughout, form a lantern to the public realm, whist creating an ephemeral effect within the residences.
To address construction constraints, the design embraces modularity and clean simple expression often seen in dense urban contexts. Using prefabricated elements, north and south façades use glass block panels and operable recessed glazing maximising connection to light and views. North and South facades required full translucency combined with a minimal core to futureproof access to light. Prefabricated panels of intricate metal detailing can be appreciated from within, and the adjacent train station.
Selected for its ability to withstand a train derailment, insitu concrete forms the ground level, with integrated seating to activate the small coffee shop fronting the entry and pedestrian railway link. Bluestone cobbles continue from the lane on one side, through to the pedestrian walkway on the other, creating a complementary pixilated pattern, and emphasising maxmised ground floor permeability despite the small plot.
The brief was to appeal to the ‘leafy suburb downsizer’ market, typically wanting safe, convenient accommodation with a touch of inner-city feel. This resulted in a programmatic arrangement of full level apartments with lifts opening directly into them, and private car allotments. To broaden the appeal, particularly given the proximity to the train, they separated the bedrooms and bathrooms, added the potential of a third separable room and added a level of storage/bike space, appealing also to students or individuals sharing. Whilst functional, this layout was also critical in achieving required light levels in a future scenario where private land to the north could be built out, and results in extremely good cross ventilation.
The language of the architectural grid is applied to the interior material palette via timber panelling, natural stone and ceramic tiles. The glass blocks present a unique internal finish that creates a brilliant changing light effect through the day. Permeability of light through the floor plate is achieved with textured glass doors and internal walls.
The upper level is a bespoke penthouse, and one residence has two levels, creating a unique offering despite the building’s modular efficiency.
Balancing performance, scale, and significant site constraints, the project required close collaboration between design, consultant and construction teams to make the project feasible, and achieve beauty through simplicity.
By day, Newburgh Light House presents a highly refined collection of adaptable homes, beautifully lit throughout. By night, it’s a beacon of light, warming Auburn village and its historic train station.
Photos: Timothy Kaye | Build: WAF Constructions
