Turrbal and Yuggera
Queensland
Brisbane
The Project involved repurposing a 1960s three-level apartment originally built by a developer for himself. This renovation reimagines this residence for contemporary living.
Brisbane’s two-bedroom residential apartment stock comprises over 100,000 units, making the revitalisation of aging buildings an affordable alternative, particularly as property becomes financially out of reach for many. This project demonstrates how the ordinary and outdated can be transformed into a contemporary living spaces.
The design was driven by key design moves interwoven for a holistic total.
Move 1-Passive climate control by unlocking the North, East, and South site aspects.
Move 2-Relocate the main living area from the mid to upper level to allow a visual connection to an expansive tree canopy.
Move 3-Connect the interior with a functional landscape.
Move 4-Personal security without compromising the sense of openness and light.
Move 5-Respect the 1970s-era through material-choices and a colour-referencing the textures, tones of the time.
Verdant Vow demonstrates the transformative potential of adaptive reuse within Brisbane’s existing apartment stock. Through thoughtful rearrangement of program and subtraction of structural load, the alterations introduce openness and light to support contemporary living. The small addition of three storey light well reshapes the entry sequence and vertical circulation, drawing natural light deep into the plan. Deliberate and playful detailing of materials, thresholds and colours enriches the stair sequence, establishing each level as a distinct spatial experience. Fine timber screening and carefully crafted openings allow natural ventilation and connection to the outdoors, while maintaining privacy and security. The project offers a compelling and replicable model for rethinking ageing housing, revealing new pathways for value, adaptability and long term occupation
Commendation for Residential Architecture - Houses (Alterations and Additions)
Verdant Vow demonstrates the transformative potential of adaptive reuse within Brisbane’s existing apartment stock. Through thoughtful rearrangement of program and subtraction of structural load, the alterations introduce openness and light to support contemporary living. The small addition of three storey light well reshapes the entry sequence and vertical circulation, drawing natural light deep into the plan. Deliberate and playful detailing of materials, thresholds and colours enriches the stair sequence, establishing each level as a distinct spatial experience. Fine timber screening and carefully crafted openings allow natural ventilation and connection to the outdoors, while maintaining privacy and security. The project offers a compelling and replicable model for rethinking ageing housing, revealing new pathways for value, adaptability and long term occupation
COLORBOND Shortlist
Verdant Vow stands testament to the power of adaptive reuse and is a compelling proposition for the reconsideration of Brisbane’s aging apartment stock.
Guided by the principle that ‘The most sustainable building is the one that already exists’, this Project embraces an adaptive reuse approach rather than pursuing an energy-intensive new-build elsewhere. This renovation maximises the potential of the existing multi-level structure and reorganised its spaces to align with the owner’s contemporary, design-conscious lifestyle.
By transforming an existing modest apartment into a considered, contemporary home, this Project furthers the conceptual combination of affordability, with the power of considered design thought.
Sergio Sarri, Design Architect
Jeska Allen, Graduate of Architecture
Simon Tanner, Senior Technician
Alan Harper, BIM Manager/ Senior Technician
Seth Long – Building Certification Consultants Pty Ltd, Building Surveyor
Toby Murdoch – Ashburner Francis Consulting Engineers, Electrical Consultant
Karel de Lange – Ashburner Francis Consulting Engineers, Mechanical Consultant
Andrew Barnes – ACOR, Structural Engineer
Chris Sheeran – Fire Engineers Australia, Fire Engineer
Robin Anderson – MNE Land Partners, Land Surveyor
Ryan Trussler – MNE Land Partners, Town Planner