Generous spirit

As the baby-boomer generation heads toward retirement age, it's exerting a noticeable influence on apartment design particularly at the upper end of the market.

Empty-nesters, as they are sometimes described, are frequently leaving large homes to reside in apartments. But the appeal of a low-maintenance property close to urban amenities often has to be balanced against the practicalities of a smaller living space.

The solution, for an increasing number of architects and developers is a design that takes the best aspects of a house and combines these with all the advantages of an apartment lifestyle.

The Parc complex in Bellevue Hill, Sydney is a case in point. Designed by architect Richard Huxley, the development is on a steep site backing onto a park. It was designed to provide a collection of large three-bedroom apartments.

"The principal element differentiating these units is the fact that they are designed to feel like a freestanding house," he says.

The large number and size of the apartments was made possible by the slope of the site. Although there is a three-storey height restriction, the apartments were able to spill down the hill, maximising expansive park and city skyline views. At street level, the complex presents as a simple, low-rise building with retail premises and single-bedroom units.

"The building has two distinct characters. At the front it plays a role in the streetscape, with a small, yet picturesque facade with timber and steel detailing. But at the rear it becomes a huge building with spacious apartments opening up to the view."

Huxley says the entrance incorporates a sequence of spaces, which convey a sense of exclusivity.

"We wanted every area to reaffirm this design philosophy. Consequently, the steel gates open to a majestic atrium, and a bridge-like walkway leads from the street to apartment foyers. The landscaping here incorporates special lighting and terraced gardens."

To enhance the idea of a freestandinghouse, the main part of the building is split into two blocks. This allows each apartment to open on three sides, providing cross ventilation and plenty of natural light. It also ensures there are few common walls again providing residents with an apartment that, from the inside, offers the privacy and security of a house.

The mainly symmetrical, split-buildingconfiguration also allowed a stepped facade, providing a view from every room.

"The building steps out both horizontally and vertically, with the largest apartment being a garden penthouse at the very bottom," says Huxley.

The cool, cubic, contemporary look of the complex reflects a genre developed by the architect over a series of projects. It also reflects the lack of any prescribed design restrictions the strip of shops opposite has a mix of styles, with no prevailing architectural quality or materials.

Huxley says the clean, square lines allowed for spacious, open-plan interiors that are in keeping with the idea of an apartment that is more like a house.

"For this reason, the apartments have very large spaces that allow people to circulate. I believe if you can do a circuit inside an apartment, you know it's both large and well planned," he says.

In keeping with the desire to provide spacious living areas, apartments have long, glazed frontages that fully open to generously sized balconies.

The interior reflects the potential market niche there is ample storage in every room to accommodate treasured possessions gathered over the years. But the design also enables the owners to have an uncluttered home interior.

Interior designers Ruth Levine and Belinda Brown of rldesign designed the show apartment on these pages. Levine says it was important the interior presented a backdrop for living. The design needed to embrace the view, but also create a warm and inviting space.

"We wanted to show the flexibility of modern living the way spaces can be arranged to suit different needs."

"We also needed to create a balance between formality and informality within the overall open-plan space."

Introducing original artworks, and a touch of eclecticism in the furnishings helps achieve this. Maintaining an open, uncluttered area also helps.

"There is space for guests to stand for drinks, and maybe socialise with the cooks in the kitchen, to sit down for dinner, and to relax either inside or outdoors after dinner. And that is the ultimate luxury," says Levine.

Story by: Trendsideas