Marine Parade Apartments in Maroubra, Australia by Smart Design Studio (designed using MicroStation)

Article source: Smart Design Studio

This building in Maroubra, Australia accommodates four luxury apartments- one per floor plus a carpark/ services level that is built into the hill. Maroubra has incredible natural beauty with its rocky cliffs, white beaches and crystal blue waters but the urban fabric is unconsidered, uninteresting and largely in decay. Smart Design Studio capitalised on this unique setting by creating a building that focused on the wonderful view from within and, through strong form, has created a handsome building in profile to enhance the urban fabric of this area.

Exterior Side

• Architects: Smart Design Studio
• Project: Marine Parade Apartments
• Location: Maroubra, Australia
• Project Architect: William Smart
• Software used: Microstation

Exterior Side

This apartment building can be considered in three parts:

1. a curved steel and aluminium louvred glass open-planned living area on the water-side, that contrasts with
2. the enclosed masonry box form on the hill-side that accommodates the bedrooms, bathrooms as well as the building’s core, and
3. the serrated masonry podium that encloses the carpark, plant and the building’s waste facilities. These elements have been combined to create a successful balance between privacy from within the units, whilst maintaining a strong connection to the view and the water, without having to rely on blinds or curtains.

Kitchen

As well acknowledging the potential of this headland setting, the form of the building envelope was developed to not obstruct neighbouring views and to minimise overshadowing to adjacent properties. Without meeting this requirement, the building would have not been approved by the local consent authority.
The project incorporates the results of Smart Design Studio’s continuing focus on Environmentally Sustainable Design principles including:

• passive solar design,
• natural cross ventilation,
• energy efficient fittings, and
• careful consideration for the materials used.

Living Room

The materials used also were selected for their ease of cleaning and durability in this extremely windy and harsh marine environment. This contemporary building acknowledges the environmental constraints of the site as well as its prominent location in Maroubra Beach. This simple and well-proportioned building replaced an existing eyesore and complements the local urban fabric.

Tags: Australia, Maroubra

Categories: Apartments, Microstation

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