NSW Government
Planning

Corner Lot Apartments 02 by Spacecraft Architects

Shop-top housing at 4–6 storeys with dwellings ranging from studios to 4 bedrooms and commercial tenancy option.

Street view of 6 storey apartment with people interacting on each storey.

A competition-winning corner apartment design with rooftop garden, innovative materials, and relaxed homes that connect seamlessly to generous balconies.

Corner Lot Apartments 02 by Spacecraft Architects is a 4-6 storey shop-top housing building with options for up to 2 commercial tenancies on the ground floor. Designed for corner infill sites in town centres and residential neighbourhoods, the building addresses both primary and secondary street frontages. Its contemporary design uses innovative materials and flashes of colour to create a fresh, modern aesthetic.

The apartments range from studios to 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes. Each dwelling includes generous balconies connected to living areas for a relaxed indoor and outdoor lifestyle. Front porches provide transitional spaces between the circulation balcony and the home – ideal for informal overflow space for surfboards, plants, or other personal items. A strong connection to the outdoors is central to the building’s design. A deep roof overhang sheltered access galleries keep the building cool, and weather protected. Tall planting in the courtyard garden creates a sensory barrier to neighbouring properties. A communal rooftop provides shared amenities for residents.

The layout is highly adaptable. It can be configured as a 6 storey shop-top housing development or scaled down to a 4 storey residential flat building. Ground floor options allow fully commercial, mixed use, or entirely residential arrangements. Parking options include basement or on-grade parking. The building can accommodate sites with slopes between 0 – 4m upslope, and lot dimensions between 17.9 – 19.8m wide.

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Key metrics

Each pattern provides a design for low- and mid-rise (LMR) housing areas with some of the designs providing options to suit non-LMR housing areas. The key metrics reflect the compact designs for low-rise patterns and the range of options for mid-rise patterns.
  • Number of dwellings 10-24
  • Bedrooms per dwelling0-4
  • Gross Floor Area (GFA) 753-2883 m2
  • Efficiency (NSA:GFA)93-95%
  • Parking spaces per building 6-11
  • zoom_in_map Minimum lot area 614-1287 m²
  • Minimum lot width 17.9-19.8 m
  • Number of storeys 4-6
  • Floor-Space Ratio (FSR) 1.23:1-2.52:1
  • Livability rating (ABCB)Standard
  • Site gradient front to back0-4 m

Key metrics

Each pattern provides a design for low- and mid-rise (LMR) housing areas with some of the designs providing options to suit non-LMR housing areas. The key metrics reflect the compact designs for low-rise patterns and the range of options for mid-rise patterns.
  • Angled street view of 6 storey apartment with tree in foreground and people interacting on the exterior of the ground floor.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative street view, designed for comfortable living with open balconies.
  • View from living room into the kitchen with three adults talking and one child reading a book at the kitchen island.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative interior view, floor to ceiling openings create a strong connection to the outdoors.
  • View of sheltered communal area with people interacting and plants in background.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative communal view, front porches create transitional spaces to connect neighbours.
  • Street view of 6 storey apartment with people interacting on each storey.
    Credit: Choi Render
    Illustrative street view, contemporary and playful facades with a fresh pop of colour.

Floor plans

Explore the floor plan layouts. Refer to the pattern pack for more floor plan variations to suit your preferences.

  • Architectural drawing of a typical floor plan with 5 apartments.
    Credit: Spacecraft Architects
    Typical floor plan (not to scale), a range of apartments feature on each floor from studios to 3 bedrooms.
  • Architectural drawing of the basement plan with parking.
    Credit: Spacecraft Architects
    Basement plan (not to scale), features secure car and bike parking spaces via ramp access.
  • Architectural drawing of the ground floor plan with 2 commercial spaces.
    Credit: Spacecraft Architects
    Ground floor plan (not to scale), opportunity for 2 commercial spaces with shared access and landscaped areas.
  • Architectural drawing of the first floor plan with 5 apartments.
    Credit: Spacecraft Architects
    First floor plan (not to scale), deep roof overhangs keep circulation areas weather protected.
  • Architectural drawing of the fifth floor plan with communal area and 3 apartments.
    Credit: Spacecraft Architects
    Fifth floor plan (not to scale), a large communal rooftop surrounded by landscaped area.
  • Architectural drawing of the roof plan with solar panels.
    Credit: Spacecraft Architects
    Roof plan (not to scale), solar panels and profiled roof design for sustainability.

Fixed and flexible features

Fixed features must be included in your planning application. Flexible features can be modified within agreed parameters.

Axonometric section of the Corner Lot Apartments 02 Spacecraft Architects
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  • Fixed features
    • Playful materials

      The facade is contemporary and playful, combining a robust, neutral material like brick, pre-cast concrete or metal sheeting, with bright pops of colour.
    • Relaxed and permeable front entry

      Low walls for seating, letterboxes and a clear view to the bio-diverse courtyard garden create a relaxed and permeable entry.
    • Gallery access to dwellings

      The open gallery circulation with individual front porches provides a sense of arrival and visually connect residents to the natural environment.  
    • Comfortable interiors

      Spacious living spaces flow onto wide private verandahs to create comfortable, healthy homes that are easy to live in. 
    • Rooftop communal open space

      The shaded communal open space on the rooftop (or upper level if the building is stepped) provides a sociable space for residents.

  • Flexible features
    • Commercial ground floor

      Three ground floor options include a full commercial tenancy or partial commercial tenancy (with optional awning) or a full residential layout.
    • Height and building type

      This pattern can be a 4-storey apartment building, 6-storey shop-top housing or have stepped levels between 4, 5 and 6 storeys.
    • Corner angle

      While the base pattern is a rectilinear plan, key flex points in the plan mean the building can be angled to fit on irregularly shaped sites.
    • Parking options

      Two parking options including basement and on-grade parking to suit the walkable, town centre location likely for this typology.
    • Lot size and width options

      Specific apartment types associated with the corner, long and short sides of the building are readily adapted to minimum lots widths between 17.9 m and 19.8 m.

Materials and character

The design features a playful, expressive facade that combines bold, durable materials with vibrant colour accents. It is designed for traditional construction methods but can also use innovative approaches such as pre-cast concrete panels or cross-laminated timber.

Facade details, including balustrades, can be adapted to suit the surrounding context or user preferences. Colour is used around main entries and commercial areas to create a welcoming feel. Ground-level tiled wall surfaces provide a tactile, easy-to-clean finish. The communal rooftop features a bright awning, creating a fresh, contemporary space for residents to relax and socialise.

Street view of 6 storey apartment with red bricks.
Credit: Spacecraft Architects
Neutral metal cladding with colourful accents

Vertically oriented metal cladding in a neutral colour, complemented by colourful accent details.

Street view of 6 storey apartment with blonde bricks.
Credit: Spacecraft Architects
Warm tone face brick

Pale (blonde), orange, or red clay brickwork paired with painted finishes for added warmth and texture.

Street view of 6 storey apartment with sage green metal cladding.
Credit: Spacecraft Architects
Textured pre-cast concrete

Pre-cast concrete with either a textured or coloured finish, enhanced by vibrant colour highlights.

Close up image of metal details, colour matched to the red faced bricks.
Credit: Spacecraft Architects
Neutral tiled cladding

Ground floor is clad in neutral square tiles in all material palettes.

About the architect

Spacecraft Architects is an architecture practice formed in 2012 by Caroline Robertson and Tim Gittos, located in Wellington, New Zealand. They bring design experience in residential, commercial and public architecture. Their hands-on experience in furniture building and residential construction gives them an in-depth understanding of how to put things together. Environmental responsibility underpins their work, along with a commitment to creating spaces that are a delight to experience.

For more of Spacecraft Architects' work, visit Spacecraft Architects.

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Illustration of landscape design. Credit: Felix Saw
Illustration of landscape design.
Credit: Felix Saw

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Illustration of approvals process. Credit: Felix Saw
Illustration of approvals process.
Credit: Felix Saw

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View the pattern drawings at no cost to help you select the most suitable pattern for your project.

To use the pattern for your planning application, you must purchase the full suite of documents, accept the terms and conditions and reference your unique identification number. When you pay the fee, you will receive technical drawings in PDF and DWG formats, an editable design verification statement and your unique identification number.

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