Scape is a leading developer and operator of student housing across the globe. They had been working for several years to design and develop four much needed student and key worker housing buildings in Kensington and Kingsford close to the University of NSW and the new Prince of Wales Hospital precinct. Each building, of 18-storeys, was contentious because of their scale in relation to the existing residential context. Mills Oakley, engaged by Scape to assist at Land and Environment Court, recognised the importance of having a coherent Urban Design strategy for the Scape developments and Nigel Dickson was immediately appointed as Expert Witness and to reconsider where each building required redesign to respect the surrounding context and the future needs of the area.

The Dickson Rothschild collaborative team of Urban Designers, Architects and Urban Planners conducted detailed building envelope, visual and shadow analysis. They then worked hard with the Project Architects of each building to make discrete changes that would improve each building design and bolster the case for major developments along the Anzac Parade light rail corridor. Scape was able to achieve quality mediated outcomes through the Section 34 mediation process and expedited approvals on each site.

Images: Architecture, PTW, Plus Architecture, SJB