The scheme was built in stages, with houses arranged in courts of between 10 and 50, designed around a private car and entrance courtyard. The first two courts in Barnett Close totalled 39 houses and were designed by prominent Sydney architects Ian McKay and Partners for the NCDC as a prototype to test medium density design principles and as a demonstration project for private developers, who would later complete the development. Unfortunately the later part of the development did not approach the quality and planning integrity of the first 39 houses.

Significance

Swinger Hill Stage 1 and 2 is listed on the ACT Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture. The development is regarded by the RAIA as being important as a social and historical landmark and being an innovative design solution.

The Barnett Close group is a good example of the Sydney regional style of architecture and are the most interesting and architecturally significant in the Swinger Hill development. They form a consistent group, unified by the careful selection of materials, colours, detailing and landscaping. The overall quality and siting of this first group is outstanding when compared to the houses later developed and built by private contractors.

Swinger Hill Stage 1 and 2 was one of the first modern and appealing medium density developments in Australia to achieve a population density of 40 people per acre. It did so in a way that gained wide public acceptance, contrary to general housing expectations at the time. The houses designed by Ian McKay and Partners were awarded the C. S. Daley Medal in 1977.

Source

• Royal Australian Institute of Architects RSTCA citation No. 49