Image Credit : Dianna Snape
www.diannasnape.com.au
Project Overview
Claremont Street Apartments establish quality spaces for recreation, entertainment and living, with spectacular views across the Melbourne CBD, bays and surrounds. The design concept is a classic approach to apartment living in a quintessential Melbourne context. Clean, contemporary spaces provide a luxurious living environment. The apartments have a consistent project language maintaining design integrity throughout. Level 5 features the ultimate lifestyle space, with an outdoor deck and a winter lounge; a place for entertaining, for garden parties and martinis, where notions of a glamorous past are revived.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
HASSELL
Scott Walker
Jaclyn Iles
Darren Paul
Jayson Deadman
Matthew Mackay
Caroline Lieu
External
Client Representative_Red C
Project Manager_PDS – Property Development Solutions
Architect_Bird de la Coeur
Graphic Designers_Grenade
Services Engineers_Simpson Kotzman
Project Brief
A classic design approach, reminiscence of 1950s chic and New York sophistication, fulfilled the project brief to create quality designed areas for recreation, entertainment and living. Views have been maximised in both the public and private spaces, providing an attractive lifestyle proposition and a sense of community. Maximising space through innovative planning and ideas was essential to convey a superior design outcome.
The development has a total of 166 apartments, which include one or two bedrooms, as well as two larger combined apartments, a ground floor lobby and a communal winter lounge and summer deck on level 5. The shared facilities exceed expectations in regards to services and amenities. A high level of design integrity has been maintained throughout the development, from the sculptural stone of the entry to the highly graphic tiling to the pool.
Timber veneer in the kitchen and bathrooms provides warmth and expresses a crafted and refined finish. The kitchens were constructed from modular components appropriate to their function. The intention for the bathrooms was to create a simple layout within the compact design. A large mirror extends to the ceiling, increasing the sense of space, and a custom-built basin provides a generous bench and storage.
The vision, branding and target market for the development was important in ensuring the spaces created were both functional and commercial in their outcome to add value to the property. The apartments appeal to an audience interested in a classic lifestyle of vibrant living.
Project Need
The winter lounge and summer deck on level 5, designed specifically for the residents, provide an amenity for leisure and relaxation, unique for such a building. The curvaceous joinery and furniture form a variety of private and social spaces. The winter lounge, with stone fireplace, concealed kitchenette and plush woven rug, opens on to an outdoor entertainment area – the summer deck – with large planted pots, a barbeque and sun lounge area. The gym and 25 metre lap pool promote fitness and evoke an atmosphere of exclusivity.
The compact nature of the apartments required innovative kitchen design. The joinery was designed as individual pieces of furniture, with each cluster of components beautifully framed and detailed within the space. A mirror, placed above the splashback, captures the exterior view, bringing the outside into the living area.
The small bathroom footprint also called for innovative selection of fixtures and fittings. HASSELL designed a custom-built basin in collaboration with manufacture Omvivo and supplier Mico to specifically meet the needs for the Claremont bathrooms. The Mint 800 basin, which provides generous bench space and storage, is now in production and available to the market.
Design Challenge
Our challenge was to make small, compact, apartments appealing to potential purchasers, by creating a sense of spaciousness. Adopting innovative ideas such as double doors from the bedrooms, which open to the living areas; cavity sliding doors; one way mirror film on internal windows and doors to provide borrowed light and a reflective surface; placing a mirror above the kitchen splashback to capture views; a hidden European style laundry; and custom-designed basins in the bathrooms to optimise space make this project attractive to the market.
Understanding the market needs in the first instance is a challenge. The market is especially influential in a residential development and prospective purchaser feedback is crucial in determining a successful outcome. To meet the demand for larger apartments, we adapted some layouts and designed a few bespoke apartments, double the original size. Providing interior layouts that were attractive, yet in keeping with building services, was essential to minimise any visible impact above and below the customised apartments.
Claremont is located in a flood zone, which proved challenging when designing the ground floor lobby. The solution, creating a series of steps and platforms which provide safe egress in the case of a flood, has provided an interesting series of spaces for the entrance, private lounge, mail area and lift podium.
Sustainability
Maximising daylight was crucial in planning the layout of the apartments and providing a comfortable and liveable space. All living areas, where occupants will spend majority of their time, are located next to full height glazing. Capturing sunlight in these areas is important for well being and assisting with reduced heating costs. Blinds have been provided to block heat and glare to ensure the interior is a comfortable temperature, particularly in the warmer months.
A sky garden, located at the end of the west facing corridor on all apartment levels, allows daylight into the corridor and provides a focal point from the central core lift. The inclusion of a variety of plants creates a unique outlook as well as providing a screen to shield the summer sun and improve the comfort and amenity for the residents.
Energy efficient lighting has been used throughout, with a combination of fluorescent fittings and low voltage down lights. Energy efficient appliances have also been provided as part of an optional package. A dish drawer assists in energy efficiency and water reduction. All fittings including showers, toilets and basin taps are WELS rated to industry best practice standards for residential developments.
Interior finishes such as low VOC content carpets and paints were selected. All timber veneer is from sophisticated forestry practices that ensure all timbers are responsibly sourced. The common areas are natural travertine stone with a honed finish, left to age over time.
Interior Design - Residential
This award recognises building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes and aesthetic presentation. Consideration given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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