Victoria
Set on the remarkable escarpment edge of the Birrarung river and Yarra Bend Park, Fenwick endeavours to balance density with porosity, allowing connections to the distant landscape to be drawn deep into the building and through the site to the street.
Three individual pavilions rather than a much larger whole, open up and reframe and hold these connections through the site; the project’s centre becoming a corridor to the valley beyond.
The pavilions, linked by a common basement, push back into the hill, lowering the scale at the street to that of the residential neighbours, increasing in height as they absorb the terrain falling towards the escarpment.
Landscaping has set in motion a desire for the building to become absorbed into the gardens and broader vistas, an apparent ruin, filled with hidden life.
Taking a design approach more akin to a single residential project, Fenwick successfully merges a substantial nine-apartment development into an established residential street.
Scaling to the surrounding context, the building volume is separated into a series of distinct sculpted forms that nestle into a densely planted landscape while stepping down the steep escarpment.
The project exhibits a high level of formal coherence, with sinuous concrete skins enveloping each building form. Detailing is rigorous throughout.
The considerable skill and attention to detail that was put into the design of our apartment gives us the flexibility to accommodate our family and social activities in a high quality, private and secure setting. The option to work from home is also cleverly incorporated in a discreet and functional way. The extensive landscaping across the three pavilions on site, including the ingenious elevated garden beds that surround our apartment, gives a lovely connection with the natural environment. We enjoy sharing our home with family and friends who all love the beauty, space, light and panoramic views of the apartment.
Aaron Roberts, Design Architect
David Flack, Interior Design
Karl Buck, Documenter
Kim Bridgland, Design Architect
Angle, Developer
Eckersley’s Garden Architecture, Landscape Consultant
GIW Environmental Solutions, ESD Consultant
Northrop Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
UPCO URBAN PLANNING COLLECTIVE, Town Planner
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
