Astor Apartments
By Bennett Murada Architects
The design of the complex is characterised by in-situ and profiled precast concrete facades, integrated vertical landscape elements and privacy screens, and private rooftop terraces.
Year
2018
Location
Rosebery, NSW
Team
Aleksey Rudy, Deirdre Kelly, John Wilkin, Dom Bennett
Photographer
Simon Wood
What was originally a brownfield site, and occupying two street frontages, is now 100 apartments spread over two buildings that extend to six levels (with two levels of basement car parking). Designed for developer Livestyle, this project was awarded to Bennett Murada after a failed attempt by another practice. Described as a ‘project rescue’, the local council was seeking a more innovative solution to providing what was essentially rental accommodation.
Comprising one, two and three-bedroom apartments, varying in size from 55 to 110 square metres in area, the two apartment blocks centre onan internal void. So rather than walking down dark and endless corridors to reach a front door, residents can enjoy a sense of arrival and the benefits of seeing neighbours across the void to other levels as much as those living on the same level.
Designed for the investment market and produced on a relatively tight budget, the key to making this development work was to use architecture as integral to the functional elements - aluminium battened screens and balustrades eliminating the need for additional walls and also providing cross-ventilation for terraces and balconies. Off formed concrete walls were also left unadorned to create both an industrial aesthetic and a rein on costs. Pivotal to the design is the communal courtyard by landscape architects Arcadia.
While some may try and create superfluous detail, Bennett Murada Architects delivered an honest, well-conceived apartment development that addressed its context and the audience it was designed for – it offers relatively affordable housing with simple clean-lined interiors that benefit from generous light, privacy and, importantly, a connection to neighbours in a large development close to the city and the amenities this affords.
Professionals used in
Astor Apartments
More projects from
Bennett Murada Architects
About the
Professional
Our architecture is about simple things executed beautifully. While our buildings may look different to each other, they all embody the same principles of sensual experience, sustainability, honesty of materials, construction credibility and distinction.
We are positive, responsive, and easy to work with. We gauge success by consistently developing successful ongoing relationships with those involved in our projects. We understand that an important part of our role is leading, motivating and igniting a sense of ownership across the design team. Experience has taught us that best results are achieved when all stakeholder contexts are aligned, communication is open and clear, expert input is integrated accurately, and mutual respect is won.
There is little room for ego at BMA. Our design process is genuinely collaborative, with Project Directors engaging with our broadly skilled and experienced team of 15 staff to deliver richly diverse and unique projects every time.
We also actively promote working in a collaborative environment with our clients, authorities, consultants, builders, suppliers and other team members to arrive at are fined, efficient and beautiful result.
We value not only innovative and inspirational design at a project’s inception, but rigour, clarity and accuracy during our design development, documentation, tender and construction processes.
We are skilled in the art of balancing aspirations and pragmatics, and consider cost, programme and build ability integral to the design development process. We test our design decisions against these parameters regularly and actively promote the same within the design team.
We are successfully engaged in a broad range of project types and scales, including houses, urban housing, commercial and industrial projects, and resort hospitality.
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