Modular Apartment Architecture in Urban Infill: Newburgh Light House by Splinter Society

Redefining Compact Urban Living through Vertical Modularity

Located in Hawthorn, Australia, the Newburgh Light House by Splinter Society is a pioneering model of modular apartment architecture, strategically sited in Auburn Village on an exceptionally tight 150m² plot. Designed to accommodate 21 residents over 10 levels, this vertical housing solution transforms extreme site limitations into a design advantage through prefabrication, translucency, and innovation. With no street frontage and an active railway bordering the north, the building reimagines urban infill typologies through spatial efficiency and luminous design.

Site Challenges Shaping the Vertical Tower Typology

Facing significant regulatory and spatial constraints, including fire compliance, acoustic control, and access to daylight, the architectural response was the creation of a slender mini-tower—where each apartment occupies an entire floor. The defining characteristic of the project lies in its use of translucent glass block facades, which satisfy both fire and equitable daylight requirements while establishing a glowing lantern-like presence in the streetscape. This approach not only ensures resident privacy and safety but also contributes to the building’s poetic relationship with the surrounding public realm.

Light, Reflection, and Material Innovation

The architectural language prioritizes transparency, reflectivity, and subtle modulation of light. Glass blocks on the north and south façades work in concert with recessed operable glazing to maximize views and ventilation, while also creating ethereal light effects throughout the interior. Inside, the use of textured glass partitions and doors continues this language of permeability, transforming daylight into an atmospheric design element that animates the apartments across the day.

Modular Design Meets Urban Density

Embracing modular apartment architecture, Splinter Society employed prefabricated construction elements to streamline assembly and address the site’s constrained accessibility. Each unit was designed with private elevator access, a flexible three-room layout, and efficient cross ventilation. Additional storage and bike spaces were integrated to appeal to a diverse range of residents—from downsizers seeking privacy and convenience, to students and young professionals drawn by its proximity to public transport.

Blurring Boundaries between Interior and Exterior

The ground floor, constructed with in-situ concrete for structural integrity in the event of a train derailment, includes a small coffee shop and integrated seating to activate the pedestrian edge. Bluestone cobbles extend from surrounding laneways into the building footprint, creating a tactile transition between public and private. This soft threshold reflects the project’s intent to harmonize with its historic railway context while bringing a modern identity to the neighborhood.

Interior Warmth Anchored in Material Craft

The minimalist grid expressed on the exterior carries through the interior, where timber panels, ceramic tiles, and natural stone surfaces reflect the building’s modular ethos. The contrast between raw finishes and soft illumination defines the apartments’ character, enhancing liveability without sacrificing spatial economy. A penthouse level and one two-storey unit introduce variation within the otherwise repeated floorplates, enriching the experience of modular living with moments of bespoke design.

A Beacon of Sustainable Urban Development

Newburgh Light House exemplifies how architectural ingenuity can unlock potential in even the most challenging urban parcels. By prioritizing flexibility, sustainable prefabrication, and spatial quality, the project repositions modular apartment architecture as a viable and desirable solution to growing density pressures. Day and night, the building serves not only as a home but also as an urban landmark—its softly lit façade acting as a beacon for the evolving Auburn Village.

All Photographs are works of  Timothy Kaye