With architecture and interiors by Plus Architecture the building is cutting-edge with no podium, a dedicated Uber pick up/drop off area, innovative slab edges and sliding car bays – a first of its kind in Western Australian apartment buildings. Modern in design, the building reflects the local grain of its Scarborough surrounds and offers a low scale residential solution to provide a more intimate and personalised experience to residents.
Comprising 99 one, two and three bedroom dwellings across two buildings, the Project has been meticulously crafted to suit a range of palates. Located adjacent to the beach in Scarborough, Western Australia, the development is instilled with coastal references of the dunes, the sea and the waves through the use of sinuous lines and organic shapes. A continuous ceramic frit band at each floor alludes to the white breakers whipped up by the afternoon sea breeze and the fluidity and energy of the ocean.
The edge profile of surfboards has been modelled and used as inspiration to provide the organic shape of the floor plate and slab edges; with the organic patterns depicted from the tidal flow of water against the sand and the section of a breaking wave. One of the most innovative features of the building is that no podium was used in the design process.
Warm finishes and textures on the ground plane combined with biophilic design of native plant species creates an experience that is unique to Western Australia. Residents are provided with an intuitive wayfinding to the beach and the material palette to the common areas comprise of composite timber battens, stone paving, native plants and loose stones to reflect the adjacent sand dune landscape. Ceiling heights in the car park have also been considered to allow residents to tie surf skis or surfboards to the roof racks of their cars.
Northern and southern spaces offer communal areas including a residents’ lounge, dining and function room, pool and table tennis, outdoor BBQ areas and a yoga zone. A north facing amenity provides an area for quiet daytime activities, while the south facing amenity zone caters for evening activities with ocean views of summer sunsets. The building has intentionally not been fully glazed to create an energy efficient building envelope which provides shade and protection from the elements.
Passive cooling has been provided through exposed concrete soffits and overhanging slab edges. The interiors have been designed with earthy and beach colours and the apartments offer cross ventilation and extensive natural light. Dedicated bands within the facade and the ground floor will serve as a canvas for art – to incorporate this artwork into the design process to create an exclusive public art gallery for the residents.
Norup + Wilson Director Dave Wilson said every design element has been considered with the resident in mind; from the range of communal activities and entertainment areas, through to the addition of a man shed with work benches and assorted power tools for people who are downsizing to be closer to the city. Source by Plus Architecture.
- Location: 171 West Coast Highway, Scarborough, Australia
- Architect: Plus Architecture
- Client: Norup + Wilson
- Status: Anticipated commencement of piling September 2018
- Images: Courtesy of Plus Architecture