Collins and Turner and CO-AP’s competition proposal for the Waterloo site envisions the transformation of a long-vacant former industrial parcel into a vibrant new urban precinct. The design brings new life to the historic Sydney Water Works site through a carefully composed grouping of buildings that respond sensitively to their heritage context in both scale and material expression. Conceived as a natural southern extension of the established Danks Street commercial and retail precinct, the proposal aims to reinforce the area’s emerging identity as a lively, mixed-use neighbourhood that balances contemporary living with deep respect for place and history.

The masterplan introduces a series of interconnected buildings that define and activate a new public square at the heart of the development. This civic space serves as a focal point for community gathering and social exchange, linking the new residential and retail components with surrounding streets and public domains. The urban form promotes permeability and walkability, extending the fine-grained pedestrian character of Danks Street into the site and fostering connections between existing and new communities.

The proposal accommodates 163 residential apartments and approximately 2,800 square metres of retail space within a collection of built forms that includes a 12-storey tower and a series of 6-storey podium buildings with attic levels. The composition is deliberately varied in height and massing to create a human-scaled environment that respects the adjacent heritage structures while contributing a distinctive new skyline to the precinct.

Materiality and detail are central to the architectural response. The lower podium buildings are articulated with richly textured brickwork, referencing the robust industrial character and material legacy of the former water works. These solid, tactile forms provide visual continuity with the heritage fabric, while the lighter, more ephemeral upper volumes above introduce a sense of openness and modernity. This juxtaposition reflects the layered evolution of the site—honouring its past while embracing its future.

Sustainability principles underpin every aspect of the design. Passive design strategies, natural ventilation, high-performance façades, and integrated landscape elements contribute to reduced energy demand and enhanced resident wellbeing. The inclusion of generous communal green spaces and the retention of existing site features where possible reinforce a commitment to environmental and social sustainability.

Ultimately, the proposal represents a confident yet sensitive act of urban regeneration—one that reimagines a dormant industrial site as a cohesive, sustainable, and contextually grounded new community within Sydney’s inner south.