Allure on the Beach Apartments
THE BRIEF :
The client purchased the absolute beachfront site in Surfers Paradise in two stages as it was originally two sites with flats dating back to the 70’s. The brief was to create the most unique and stylish apartments taking most advantage of the beach and ocean views. The building was to contain 12 apartments in a one per floor arrangement. The architectural style was to be contemporary with materials and finishes reflective of the quality and style expected in multi-million dollar properties.
THE SOLUTION :
As maximizing the beach and ocean views was paramount, the siting of the building, it’s planning and orientation was critical in the design process. Rooms to the rear were skewed at 45° to the main building orientation to achieve sight lines north-east and south-east to the beach. This produced a plan form that resulted in external wall planes which addressed the street at an angle rather than straight on. The introduction of building materials such as powder coated aluminium cladding, bookleaf stone, rendered and painted masonry, glazing and off-form concrete, reinforced a contemporary built form with strong horizontal and vertical elements which emphasised sensitivity to the urban environment and human scale. Links to the beach and water are reinforced through the extensive use of pools and water features surrounding the building externally and in the apartments themselves.
Soft landscaping elements were chosen to reflect existing surrounding vegetation and for their resistance to harsh coastal elements. The landscape of the locality is further reinforced through the use of hard landscaping elements depicting sand dunes with whispy dune grasses in bas relief on precast panels.
THE OUTCOME :
A contemporary building form well articulated through the use of strong elements, colour, materials and textures. Residents will enjoy a lifestyle in an apartment which takes maximum advantage of the views while addressing issues such as cross-ventilation, protection from harsh southerly and south-easterly winter winds, reducing solar heat gains by protecting east facing openings and minimizing west facing openings.
The urban character and streetscape will be enhanced through the use of smaller scale structures at the street and the mixture of materials, colours and textures and landscaping reinforcing the “beach” location.
Client : Broadwater Corporation
Contact: Mark Urquhart
