One of the world’s largest residential high-rise rooftop solar panel systems – spanning the size of 24 tennis courts – and lush ‘ribbons of green’ are just two innovative features found at The Orchards in Sydney.
Sekisui House’s first residents have moved into The Orchards – a $1 billion, 8.8 hectare masterplanned residential community in Sydney’s north west. More than 120 residents now reside in stage one ‘Imperial’ buildings with over half of the 121 apartments now sold.
The one, two, three and four bedroom luxury apartments designed by Turner Architects are spread across seven future stages with heights ranging from six to 12 storeys. When completed the community will comprise 1,300 apartments.
“Underpinning all aspects of the design is the Japanese concept of ‘satoyama’,” says Paul Wainwright, sales and marketing operations manager for Sekisui House Australia.
Satoyama – derived from the Japanese words for village (sato) and mountain (yama) – has sustained millions of people for thousands of years, connecting people “through ‘ribbons of green’,” Wainwright says.
At The Orchards “a lush green spine runs throughout the estate to enrich the lives of residents,” Wainwright says.
Set on a nature site with a creek, cycle paths and walkways, The Orchards will feature recreational amenities including a 1.4-hectare public park, playgrounds, breakout green spaces, lagoon pool and large fitness centre.
Heritage-listed trees intertwine throughout the site. Each of The Orchards three signature buildings reflects an element of the site’s surrounding natural environment, incorporating Strangers Creek, Bunya Pines and native Cumberland woodland trees.
The Orchards will also provide a rooftop cinema, café, community function centre, music room and an 
organic grocer is planned for the development.
Sekisui House is currently selling a wide mix of apartment product with one-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000 up to $1,900,000 for three-bedroom penthouses.
“The location of The Orchards was the epicentre of a flourishing industry that sustained the Hills Shire community economically and socially, enhancing the lives of families for generations. It is this heritage that Sekisui House intends to capture and nurture, as a new community emerges,” Wainwright adds.
Founded in 1960, Sekisui House is one of Japan’s largest homebuilders, with cumulative sales of nearly 2.5 million properties worldwide.
Sekisui House celebrates its ten-year anniversary in Australia this year, while also marking the milestone of delivering 10,000 properties to Australian families. Including future pipeline, Sekisui House Australia’s total projects are valued at more than $18 billion.