Bela

Architecture
Bela

25 storey residential apartment building / 113 Apartments / 3 Basement carpark levels / Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast QLD

25 storey residential apartment building
113 Apartments
3 Basement carpark levels
Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast QLD

A collection of human-scaled dwellings in the context of the dense vertical city humanising the apartment tower typology

Aspirational beachside living

The conceptual driver behind the functional program, architectural expression and the experiential qualities of the interior is derived from a ‘beach house’ ideology and the emotive response it evokes.

The design approach for Bela draws from our investigations into the aspiration for beachside living on the Gold Coast.

The conceptual driver behind the functional program, architectural expression and the experiential qualities of the interior is derived from a ‘beach house’ ideology and the emotive response it evokes.

The design approach for Bela draws from our investigations into the aspiration for beachside living on the Gold Coast.

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The Beach House in the Sky

In this proposal, we have reinterpreted the architectural language and qualities of the quintessential modernist ‘beach house’ through a collection of stacked ‘beach house’ apartments. Each vertical stack is expressed as individual slender tower elements that form part of a greater whole. From a distance, the building is conceived as a singular architectural form that is highly legible and designed in the round. The tower stacks varying in height and step progressively towards the coastline providing a sense of drama at the point where the tower meets the sky.

In this proposal, we have reinterpreted the architectural language and qualities of the quintessential modernist ‘beach house’ through a collection of stacked ‘beach house’ apartments. Each vertical stack is expressed as individual slender tower elements that form part of a greater whole. From a distance, the building is conceived as a singular architectural form that is highly legible and designed in the round. The tower stacks varying in height and step progressively towards the coastline providing a sense of drama at the point where the tower meets the sky.

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Framed views

At the scale of the apartment, the primitive human desire for prospect and refuge is captured in the framed views of the surrounding landscape and a sense of retreat from the harsh coastal environment through deep, shaded balconies. This intimate, human-scaled experience is enhanced by the combination of a tactile, cool material palette and the detailing of building tectonics. All elements work together to reinforce an overall cohesive design that responds to human experience at all scales.

At the scale of the apartment, the primitive human desire for prospect and refuge is captured in the framed views of the surrounding landscape and a sense of retreat from the harsh coastal environment through deep, shaded balconies. This intimate, human-scaled experience is enhanced by the combination of a tactile, cool material palette and the detailing of building tectonics. All elements work together to reinforce an overall cohesive design that responds to human experience at all scales.

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Activation of the Ground Plane

At the lower levels, the emphasis is on engagement with the street, integration of landscape and activation of the ground plane. A subtropical landscaped plaza welcomes residents and visitors and forms the transition from the beach to the dwelling. Lightweight batten screens provide a veil to the two-storey podium touching the ground lightly at key moments. Moving through the landscaped entry sequence, residents will have the opportunity to wash down surfboards, storage of surf gear and informal social gathering. Above the entrance lobby floats a veranda space that further promotes incidental interaction of residents and enlivens the interface with the street. The resort-style functions and high-quality resident amenity to the north of the podium level provide occupants with opportunity for retreat and wellness within a private residential setting.

At the lower levels, the emphasis is on engagement with the street, integration of landscape and activation of the ground plane. A subtropical landscaped plaza welcomes residents and visitors and forms the transition from the beach to the dwelling. Lightweight batten screens provide a veil to the two-storey podium touching the ground lightly at key moments. Moving through the landscaped entry sequence, residents will have the opportunity to wash down surfboards, storage of surf gear and informal social gathering. Above the entrance lobby floats a veranda space that further promotes incidental interaction of residents and enlivens the interface with the street. The resort-style functions and high-quality resident amenity to the north of the podium level provide occupants with opportunity for retreat and wellness within a private residential setting.

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Exemplar of Coastal Subtropical Architecture

It is envisaged that Bela will be an exemplar of coastal subtropical architecture that responds to its immediate context in a meaningful way and elevates the human experience of residential living on the Gold Coast.

It is envisaged that Bela will be an exemplar of coastal subtropical architecture that responds to its immediate context in a meaningful way and elevates the human experience of residential living on the Gold Coast.

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