Nestled in Sydney's beachside suburb of Coogee, Anden seamlessly marries artistic design with a deep sensitivity to its community and coastal context. Situated just a stone's throw from the beach, Anden is a collaboration with our client, Central Element, with interiors by Lawless and Meyerson and landscaping by Dangar Barin Smith. Our collective brief was to ensure the highest level of amenity for residents within both the private and communal spaces, hinging on the cultivation a residential experience of barefoot luxury.

At the heart of the Anden project lay a pivotal challenge: preserving the treasured character of its streetscape design. This was addressed by maintaining the original art deco facade while adding a contemporary wing at the rear, a seamless complement to the heritage design of the original structure. Anden’s modern addition takes the form of an intelligent ‘L’ shape, thoughtfully designed to capture the natural northern sunlight, enveloping the interiors. This unique design element gives birth to a central gathering place within—a sprawling communal oasis that unfolds through a series of tiered lawns, verdant garden corridors, and a delightful grove of cabbage tree palms. Sustainability and wellness reign supreme here, featuring photovoltaic panels, communal vegetable gardens, solar access, rainwater collection systems, and an open stairwell, offering a sustainable alternative to the lift. Within the development, a communal wellness sanctuary boasts a tranquil yoga space, a fully equipped gym, and an Italian-designed infrared sauna.

Conceived as a series of homes that combine to create a sustainable community, the fifteen apartments are connected by a series of interlinked and carefully curated open landscaped spaces. Uniquely, all but two apartments within Anden are individually designed, providing a distinct personality and sense of authentic homeliness for residents. Internally, the apartments effortlessly flow onto sun-drenched terraces or private gardens.

Anden’s materiality incorporates organic elements such as natural stone, marble, wood, concrete, and terrazzo, capturing the relaxed ambience of its seaside setting. Additional detailing found in sliced river pebbles and mosaic tiling nod to the specific textures of the beach shoreline, which when used internally evoke a sense of truly contextual luxury.

By maintaining its beloved art deco exterior, this project achieves more than the preservation of its valued architectural character. It also creates a substantial shared green space, anchoring its principles in eco-consciousness and personal wellbeing. It exemplifies the transformative power of design in bringing communities together in coexistence with their surroundings.