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Architects: Turner
- Year: 2012
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Photographs:Brett Boardman
From the architect.
The site, reclaimed and redefined as part of the Victoria Park brown field redevelopment precinct in Sydney, is long and thin. An island site. A ‘tall’ building holds the northern end of the site whilst the ‘long’ building follows the arc of Defries Avenue.
The ‘tall’ building is assembled as a series of stacked boxes. Taking advantage of the city views, internal living areas are pushed closer to the building edge. In response to the internal planning the boxes are stretched and pulled between levels and facades.
Whilst the ‘tall’ building is defined by the edge of Cooper Place, the sweeping arc of Defries Avenue defines the ‘low’ building.
To take advantage of the solar access, apartments are turned towards the north. Projecting bay windows, both single level and double height, allow apartment bedrooms to be closer to the external façade, further animating the building form.
At street level a mix of retail uses with a large covered terrace activates the base of the ‘tall’ building. The terrace area folds into the ‘pocket park’ between the two buildings. This interstitial space provides an entry forecourt to both buildings whilst the cantilever to the ‘long’ building heightens the drama of procession into the building. At the southern end a double height entry space with oversized piloti hold the corner of the building.
The 14-storey ‘tall’ building and 6-storey ‘long’ building of APEX comprise 153 apartments. A 400sqm rooftop garden terrace creates a park-like space with seating areas, shade trees, a BBQ deck and an outdoor cinema.
