Paddington Reservoir.

ArchiPro Project Summary - Revitalization of Paddington Reservoir into a public open space, preserving its historic 19th-century structures while creating a unique environment for community engagement and appreciation.

Title:: Paddington Reservoir
Manufacturers and Supplier:: The Brick Pit
Category:: Commercial/; Mixed-use Spaces
Photographers:: The Brick Pit

Paddington Reservoir Gardens is the re-purposed site of a historic water reservoir which accepted water from the Botany Swamps pumping station for supply to parts of Sydney between 1866 and 1899. The Reservoir was originally constructed in two stages, completed in 1866 and 1878. The water chambers were built below street level with a grassed park above, that was opened to the public in the 1930’s.

TZJ Architects and JMD design describe how they were commissioned in 2006 by the City of Sydney to convert the Paddington Reservoir into a public open space, amid the general expectation that the site would be capped off and a brand new arrangement built on top.

Instead, the architects believed the concept for the new was embodied in the old, and collaborated to reveal the 19th century structures as a ruin through which the public could wander, taking in the dramatic spaces and play of light across the remnants of historic walls and vaults on this glorious site.

Since the 1950s there have been a number of attempts to demolish the reservoir and/or use the space for carparking. The long standing community efforts to preserve the reservoir are a testament to the high level of regard in which it is held by the community.

The multi-award winning project has been recognised both nationally and internationally.

Architects: TZJ Architects and JMD Design.

Project Gallery

Views and Engagement

Professionals used in Paddington Reservoir

The Brick PitManufacturers and Suppliers

About the Professional

Project Portfolio

The Brick Pit is Australia’s oldest brick recycler, leading the industry with an unrelenting commitment to customer satisfaction and a quality of product that is unsurpassed in the marketplace thanks to its world-first brick cleaning technology.

The Brick Pit’s in-house custom feature blends prevent banding and patchiness and are the choice of architects, builders and discerning home owners throughout Australia and New Zealand.

50 Years of Customer Satisfaction

The Brick Pit began trading in 1975, long before recycled brick was considered cool and fashionable, and before words like ‘sustainability’, 'circular economy' and 'embodied carbon footprint’ were part of the national conversation.

Since 1975, The Brick Pit has been supplying architects, designers, homeowners, builders, landscapers and shopfitters in Australia and overseas with premium, recycled bricks for residential, commercial and landscaping projects including custom homes, restaurants, cafes, commercial, retail, and residential complexes, council parks and outdoor spaces, leading education facilities and eco-resorts.

The Brick Pit is a full-service brick recycler supplying only the finest recycled bricks and advising on brick selection, finishes, colour matching and quantities. We offer the following recycled brick products and specialty product lines.

Some notable projects include UOW Sustainable Buildings Research Centre – Australia’s first 6 Star Green Star Rated building, UOW iAccelerate building, Sandstone Point Hotel (QLD), Sydney Olympic Park Jacaranda Square, the Google Headquarters in Pyrmont, multiple HIA and MBA award-winning homes and installations within the Merivale Group including Ivy, Mr Wong, Coogee Pavilion, Papi Chulo and more.