Corner Shop Project

Crossroads Marrickville reimagines an 1890s corner shop and residence into a refined mixed-use development, combining commercial, residential, and urban living within a compact Inner West site.

Designed by Mackenzie Pronk Architects and built by Make Projects, the project carefully preserves the original masonry shell while introducing a contemporary upper-level addition set back from the street. Key heritage elements — including the curved corner façade and shopfront proportions — are retained, allowing the building's history to remain legible while delivering improved density, amenity, and long-term adaptability.

Architectural lighting by TecLED

Lighting design by Petra Kleegraefe from Architectural Lighting Design was delivered using TecLED lighting solutions, supporting the project's adaptive re-use vision through a flexible, durable, and low-glare lighting scheme.

• Warm, consistent ambience (2700K) across residential spaces for a calm, cohesive environment
• Recessed track lighting to provide flexibility between commercial and residential use
• Integrated LED profiles (TecLED Bendi and Micro Profiles) to highlight joinery and architectural details
• Low-glare, indirect lighting to enhance materiality without visual clutter

This approach ensures the lighting enhances both functionality and architectural intent, while remaining adaptable over time.

Material contrast and spatial experience

Lighting plays a key role in reinforcing the contrast between old and new:

• Retained masonry walls are softly illuminated to celebrate the building's history
• Warm timber finishes are enhanced through integrated linear lighting
• Subtle transitions define public (commercial) and private (residential) zones

The result is a layered spatial experience where lighting supports both atmosphere and navigation.

Mixed-use functionality

The project integrates multiple functions within a compact footprint — a ground-floor commercial tenancy, shop-top housing, and a separate three-bedroom residence with courtyard and garage access. Lighting supports this by adapting across different uses, delivering task lighting for commercial areas and warm ambient lighting for residential living.

Exterior and urban presence

Externally, lighting strengthens the building's connection to the streetscape:

• The TecLED Taipan Snake Light creates continuous, concealed illumination along steps and transitions
• Low-voltage LED spotlights provide subtle pathway guidance
• A soft internal glow creates a lantern-like presence at night

The lighting remains restrained, glare-free, and architecturally integrated, enhancing safety without compromising aesthetics.

Sustainability and performance

Sustainability is embedded through both architecture and lighting:

• Adaptive re-use reduces embodied carbon
• Energy-efficient LED lighting minimises operational consumption
• PV solar panels support renewable energy use
• Durable materials including Accoya timber ensure longevity
• Heat-exchange ventilation systems improve performance

Together, these strategies deliver a future-ready, low-impact building.

Project outcome

Crossroads Marrickville is a benchmark for adaptive re-use lighting and architecture, demonstrating how thoughtful design can transform a heritage structure into a flexible, high-performing mixed-use development. Through the integration of TecLED lighting solutions, the project achieves a strong architectural identity day and night, a seamless balance between heritage and contemporary design, and enhanced functionality, comfort, and visual experience.

Awards and recognition

• 2025 Sustainability Awards — Winner (Commercial Architecture, Small)
• 2025 Sustainability Awards — Shortlisted (Multi Residential Architecture)
• 2025 Inner West Built Environment Awards — Shortlisted
• 2025 National Timber Design Awards — Shortlisted

Project credits

Architect: Mackenzie Pronk Architects
Lighting designer: Petra Kleegraefe — Architectural Lighting Design
Builder: Make Projects
Photography: Archphoto

View this project on ArchiPro