Vault 253
The new storage facility at 251-253 Princes Highway and 6-10 Hattersley Street in Arncliffe offers a considered approach to functional design within an urban context. Designed as a simple, refined form, the building’s clean rectangular massing aligns with the surrounding street grid, balancing efficiency and thoughtful materiality to complement the neighborhood’s evolving fabric.
The building’s façade combines robust concrete panels at the base with perforated metal screens on the upper levels. This design introduces a dynamic visual texture, allowing light and shadow to interact throughout the day and adding subtle visual interest to the Princes Highway corridor. At night, soft light from interior spaces filters through the screens, offering a calm, understated presence.
A landscaped corridor along the Princes Highway enhances the building’s street-level experience, introducing greenery that improves pedestrian amenity and integrates with the broader urban environment. The ground floor’s office spaces along Hattersley Street create an active frontage, ensuring a welcoming and safe interface with the street while supporting operational needs.
| Location: | Arncliffe, New South Wales |
| Type: | Commercial |
| Date: | 2024 |
| Status: | Under Assessment |
| Client: | Hattersley Development Pty Ltd. |
| Site Area: | 2,695.4m2 |
| Gross Floor Area: | 4,427m2 |
Inside, the facility provides 390 storage units, flexible office spaces, and essential amenities, including staff rooms and a meeting room. Practical considerations are evident in the inclusion of two loading zones for medium-rigid vehicles, 14 car parking spaces (including EV charging and accessible spaces), and 8 bicycle parking spaces, ensuring accessibility for diverse users.
A rooftop terrace on Level 2 serves as a breakout space for staff, offering a connection to nature and views of the surrounding area. This green element promotes well-being and underscores the project’s commitment to creating a pleasant working environment.
Sustainability features include rooftop solar panels, rainwater collection and reuse which significantly reduce the building’s energy and water consumption and align with broader environmental goals. This focus on renewable energy reduces dependence on the grid and contributes to the facility’s operational efficiency.
Through its careful integration of materials, functionality, and sustainability, the storage facility provides a practical, efficient, and contextually sensitive addition to Arncliffe. Its design balances operational needs with a commitment to enhancing the urban environment, creating a facility that serves its purpose while contributing positively to the neighborhood.
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Fuse Architects acknowledges the First Nations peoples, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, as the Traditional Custodians of the diverse lands where we live, work, and create. We admire their deep and enduring connections to the land, sea, and community. We are committed to meaningful dialogue, as we work together to honour the past and shape a harmonious future. We pay our respects to the wisdom of their Elders, past, present, and emerging.
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