Naia

A residential tower rising up to the sea air. Its metaphoric shape has been formed by the prevailing coastal sea breeze, hollowing out sheltered habitats that push towards the sea view, infusing humanity with nature. The tower is situated on the beachside strip of land east of the Gold Coast Highway where there is a direct tangible relationship to the coastal dune, beach and ocean. The patterning and form of the coastal environment has been captured in the design as the inspiration behind the undulating edges, reflective of the wind and waves of the natural environment.   The development draws inspiration from its coastal location and the changing coastal dunes, articulated throughout the design by the dynamic shifting of curved balcony forms. The rhythm of movement up the facade is designed in response to the curved shapes created by the process of erosion and environmental conditions. The result consists of a built form that presents soft edges that present alternate patterns of light and shade. A single level podium is sculpted to extend the ground plan up and around the tower, much the same way as wind will drive sand behind a solid element on a beach. The low corner podium element is cut by desire lines of entry for pedestrian access and emerges from the rising ground plane, responding to the corner position and creating semi-public landscaped spaces.   As in life, the fluidity of this building will bring a more humanistic feel to the built form at Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast. The project aims to develop an exemplary urban design outcome of high-quality architecture. Tailored to the needs and lifestyle of residents within the context of the natural and built environment, community and council requirements, the design successfully addresses the balance between creativity and practicality.