River's edge

Even the most innovatively designed apartment complex falls short of the mark if it doesn't address its surroundings. Views, privacy, an empathy with neighbourhood buildings every environmental consideration should inform the design.

The new Flow apartment and attached houses project in Duncan Street, Brisbane, is a working example of how surroundings and design can go hand in hand. The development is a high-density, multi-residential project in the inner-city suburb of West End.

Located at river's edge, in an area undergoing urban regeneration, Flow has developed from an analysis of local planning strategies and urban renewal policies currently being formalised in Brisbane. Essentially the complex drives a push to reinvent this semi-industrial suburb in a key scenic location and transform it into an upmarket residential neighbourhood.

Flow comprises eight terrace-style houses on the riverfront boundary, and a seven-storey apartment building that looks over them, also facing the river.

BVN Architecture, with principal Shane Thompson at the helm, considered the design of Flow Apartments from all angles.

"One of the governing factors on this project was working with a combined developer-builder," says Thompson. "Pradella Group was mindful of construction techniques as well as design forms, so precast concrete, an economical and versatile material, was used and became an important defining element, particularly on the apartment building."

Precast concrete was easy to work with, and offered broad design expression. The apartment building's signature fluid lines were made possible by this economical building material.

"The design itself owes much to its surroundings," says Thompson. "The undulating facade has oblique references to the river meandering alongside, and the strong, simple linear forms are also reminiscent of Art Deco buildings, many of which still exist, albeit on a smaller scale, in this inner-city precinct."

When viewed from the river, the lines of the apartment building are also reminiscent of the forms of an ocean liner, another subtle invocation of water.

The architects maximised use of the available land by locating the riverfront houses to one side of the site and the apartment building to the other. This created one large central area for communal use, rather than isolated pockets of recreational space that would have resulted from dotting residences across the entire site.

Entering the apartment complex from the street, guests and residents follow a cascading stream of water upstream into the entry lobby, and on into the central courtyard. Here the flowing water emanates from a 20m lap pool, and a wading pool and fountain beyond that. The individual riverside homes also have plunge pools in their private courtyards a sense of proximity to the river runs right through the project.

Flow's sweeping, billowing forms are arranged for complete privacy, yet allow full advantage to be taken of both immediate and long-distance views. These run in one direction out across the river, and in the other towards Brisbane's fast-rising inner-city skyline.

The design also incorporates generous outdoor living areas, with most apartments opening onto deep balconies from the living spaces, bedrooms, and in some cases, kitchens as well. These areas ensure the enjoyment and comfort of the outdoor, subtropical lifestyle and enable 270Ë views throughout.

"This project was completed over three months ahead of programme," Thompson says. "This is an almost unheard-of feat in today's construction environment. The achievement was largely due to the precast concrete construction and also the refinement of techniques and processes used on earlier projects we have undertaken with Pradella Group.

"We simplified and unified the forms of individual apartments, concentrating our design energies on improving comfort within the units, level of finishes and communal facilities there is a gymnasium and resident cinema, for example. Ultimately the project was more economical to build and is more enjoyable for everyone who spends time there."

Story by: Charles Moxham