Embracing architecture

Apartment buildings in prime locations form an intrinsic part of the city skyline, which means there's an opportunity for a bold, strong architectural statement to be made.

This mixed-use project in the urban heart of South Yarra, Melbourne is a good example. Developed by Michael Yates & Co and designed by Bird de la Coeur Architects, the project comprises 9 Yarra, an angular 15-level office building and 7 Yarra, a slender, more refined 22-storey residential tower.

Architect Neil de la Coeur says the contrasting light and dark colour palettes of the towers also highlight their different roles, enhancing the sense of yin and yang, while retaining a unified presence.

"The residential tower was conceived of as a home at the basic diagrammatic level," de la Coeur says. "Just as the roof is a key defining feature of a child's drawing of a house, so has the concept of the roof as shelter been applied to this building. We have taken the notion of a sheltering roof and distributed it to all the residences, folding and weaving it so the iconic form evident at the top of the tower percolates down through the building in a zigzag fashion."

To further define the tower on the skyline, the penthouse apartment cantilevers out from the main building in two directions, giving it an identifiable street presence.

The sub-penthouse shown on these pages is one of four on the level immediately below the penthouse. As with all the apartments, the sub-penthouse has been designed to maximise the views.

The interior, which was designed in collaboration with Hecker Phelan & Guthrie, reflects the desire to provide visual consistency throughout the building, says de la Coeur.

"We believe it is important to create a uniformity with colour and material palettes in an apartment building," he says. "Residents passing from the foyers to the interior spaces will find similarities there are no sudden changes of colour."

Warm neutral browns and greys were specified for carpets and tiles. Black and white also feature extensively, enhancing the monochromatic look of the interior and providing an appropriate backdrop for artworks.

Mirrored panels, including a floor-to-ceiling mirrored wall in the living room, enhance the spacious look of the interior and reflect the light and views.

The kitchen is equipped to a high standard, with more storage than is normally seen in an apartment.

"There is an assumption that residents in the sub-penthouses will be inclined to cook and entertain at home," says the architect.

Story by: Trendsideas