Schofield Gardens’ groundbreaking design wins mid-rise residential development metro at Urban Taskforce Awards
ALAND is celebrating the success of its innovative and sustainable residential project, located in Sydney’s north-west growth corridor, after taking out top honours in their category at the 2021 Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards.
The initial stage of Schofield Gardens, called ‘Bottlebrush’, which pioneered new construction methods also features the largest power battery wall of any residential apartment development in Australia.
It was named the best Mid-Rise Residential Development Metro at a special ceremony held at Dolton House in Sydney.
ALAND’s Chief Executive Officer, George Tadrosse, said they were delighted to be recognised by the Urban Taskforce for the positive impact Schofield Gardens will have on the growing community and the lifestyle it offers residents.
The awards also acknowledge developments that achieve the best outcomes for all stakeholders in terms of client requirements, environment, business and community considerations, as well as time, cost and quality.
“To win top honours for what is the first of seven stages, is a wonderful testament to thorough and detailed planning, design and groundbreaking innovation we have invested into the site,” Mr Tadrosse said.
“As a company, it means that we are up there competing with the best of the best in a highly competitive and evolving industry.
“ALAND is about building communities of the future and our vision has been to lead the way in delivering renewable energy. We also wanted to create a sense of neighbourhood by providing family-friendly green space where residents can come together and for kids to be able to hang out and play.”
Set across five mid-rise contemporary buildings, the 147-apartment project is nestled around a central community open space with playground, barbecues, and seating.
The clever roof top design incorporates solar panels with any excess power fed into 24-Tesla backup batteries and lessening reliance on the traditional grid network. The system delivers around half of the electricity load at no extra cost to residents, while also reducing strata levies and aiding in sustainability. There is at least one Electric Vehicle Charger per 50 apartments.
Schofield Gardens was also recognised for introducing new construction methodologies which significantly shortened the building timeframe. It features CSR Hebel PowerPanels containing reinforced steel for added strength with an anti-corrosion layer. It is the first time the product has been used on a class 2 and 7a residential development and means no render has been used on any of the buildings on the site.
“The use of durable and long lasting materials reduces the need for replacement and maintenance as well as producing excellent insulation and reducing the usage of cooling and heating systems,” Mr Tadrosse said.
All of the 147 apartments with Bottlebrush were sold off-the-plan within a year of the project’s launch in November 2019 and required only limited marketing. Schofield Gardens offers affordable housing options for investors, first home buyers, owner occupier and renters in the Blacktown Council area. The first four stages have sold out with Stages Five and Six – known as Lotus and Breynia – with limited stock remaining.