How a former tractor factory became a sky-high bushland oasis
In short: In inner Sydney, an architect has achieved the impossible: a 350m2 garden that is significantly larger than the apartment it sits upon. By repurposing a heavy-duty industrial site, this residential project proves that even high-rise living can embrace the wild, untamed essence of the Australian bush.
The project, located in a converted former tractor factory in inner Sydney, was designed by architect Adam Haddow as a test case for redefining apartment living. His vision was to transform a high-density space into something resembling a home by integrating a massive 350m2 garden across two levels. This outdoor space intentionally exceeds the size of the 190m2 apartment itself, creating a sprawling sanctuary above the city.
Achieving this required overcoming significant engineering hurdles. Working alongside landscape architect Tom Smith of Dangar Barin Smith, the team had to manage intense sun exposure, high winds, and the technical difficulties of low soil depth and drainage. They utilized the building's existing strength—originally designed to support heavy tractors—to implement effective drainage via waterproofing and drainage cell layers. To further support plant life, the team even raised the apartment's floor level to increase available soil depth.
The planting strategy was dictated by the varying depths of the two levels. While the lower level offers up to 70cm of soil, the top level is limited to just 40cm. To thrive in these shallow conditions, the design relies on hardy species like Banksia integrifolia and Leptospermum laevigatum, which are naturally adapted to sandstone outcrops. The design uses a layered approach, employing Paperbarks for privacy and screening, and Cordylines as sculptural accents, all working together to blur straight lines and create a sense of organic, wild serenity.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Large architecturally designed native garden in an apartment | Garden Design | Gardening Australia
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