Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit
The Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit project by Kennedy Nolan with Finding Infinity was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Holdmark Innovation Award.
The annual Holdmark Innovation Award recognises excellence and innovation in the built environment. Supported by Holdmark, the Award is presented by Powerhouse during Sydney Design Week.
Kennedy Nolan
A Melbourne-based architectural studio founded in 1999 by Rachel Nolan and Patrick Kennedy. Kennedy Nolan has developed a reputation for design-focused practice with a distinct approach to the built form.
‘As practitioners, we’re dedicated to producing architecture that’s highly responsive to its context and forms a strong relationship with landscape. We pride ourselves on an innovative approach to public and residential projects. We deliver a highly responsive design sensitive to its context that incorporates sustainable design initiatives while achieving the requirements of our brief.’
Project Summary
‘The Holdmark Innovation Award 2024 selection committee reviewed examples of innovation in many forms this year, from experiments in materials, to new solutions for climate adaptation and whole urban strategies. In this rich cross section of approaches, we were unanimous in our choice of the winner, the Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit project by Kennedy Nolan with Finding Infinity. The cleverness of this project is that while intervention was minimal, the project challenges our assumptions of what a truly sustainable future might look like.’
The Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit project is Australia’s first plus energy retrofit of an apartment building. Providing an innovative example of the environmental, social and financial benefits of retrofitting existing apartment blocks, this project celebrates our existing structures with all their embodied energy and carbon.
With a minimally invasive design, Kennedy Nolan has improved the building’s thermal performance and extended its lifespan. Environmental initiatives prioritised recycling existing material and the use of low carbon materials, resulting in an 82% reduction in construction-based carbon emissions. Energy efficiency has been achieved through passive design choices minimising the need for heating and cooling, while improving ventilation. Reliance on the electrical grid has been reduced with the installation of solar panels, decreasing the building's energy usage by approximately 70%. Other initiatives included rooftop rainwater collection and efficient water fittings to minimise grid water demands.
Prioritising community, the project has improved amenity and connectivity for tenants while also addressing social injustices. The site includes a shared vegetable garden and composting for the building and a communal laundry elevated into a social space. Importantly, tenants will receive an estimated 80% reduction in bills due to energy saving infrastructure. Kennedy Nolan has ensured companies responsible for the building's ongoing care have an ethos to improve environmental, social and/or economic outcomes. Ongoing leasing will be managed by HomeGround Real Estate, an ethical company that invests 100% of its profits to help end homelessness, with two of the apartments being rented at below market rate to help tenants who would otherwise struggle to enter the market. Finally, the building was named Wilam Ngarrang by the Wurundjeri Land Council and is 'Paying the Rent' to First Nations organisations.
‘I am impressed by the calibre of entries received for this year’s Holdmark Innovation Award, which reflects the thoughtful consideration and care infused into designs produced by some of Australia’s brightest architects and designers. The Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit project was selected for its solution to the ageing 1960s and 1970s red brick apartment buildings that scatter Australia’s urban landscape. It is a very clever, energy-efficient space with social and sustainability solutions giving the building a new life and providing critical and effective solutions to the current housing and cost of living crises facing the nation. We are thrilled to continue supporting initiatives like Sydney Design Week, which encourages new ideas and solutions for new challenges experienced in our changing world.’
2024 Selection Committee
Kevin Nassif, chief operating officer, Holdmark Property Group
Gerard Reinmuth, professor of practice – School of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney and director, TERROIR
Keinton Butler, senior curator, Powerhouse and creative director, Sydney Design Week
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Holdmark Innovation Award
An annual award recognising excellence and innovation in the built environment, receiving a $10,000 cash prize.
Applications Closed
Next Open May 2025
Holdmark Property Group, under the leadership of founder and chief executive Sarkis Nassif, has committed $10 million towards Powerhouse Parramatta. This remarkable investment supports Sydney Design Week, the establishment of the Holdmark Gallery and an urban transformation summer school with Western Sydney University.
As Sydney Design Week Principal Partner, Holdmark supports the annual Holdmark Innovation Award presented by Powerhouse, recognising excellence and innovation in the built environment.
Principal Partner
