Tread lightly

By maintaining a small footprint on the land, these innovative residences have limited their impact on the surrounding environment

Exterior view of this new apartment block architecture, building, condominium, cottage, estate, home, house, plant, property, real estate, residential area, sky, tree, villa, teal, brown — Exterior view of this new apartment block set amongst a 20ha bushland national park featuring staggerred roof line, timber cladding, louvres

Exterior view of this new apartment block architecture, building, condominium, cottage, estate, home, house, mixed use, property, real estate, residential area, sky, villa, teal

Exterior view of this new apartment block architecture, building, cottage, facade, home, house, neighbourhood, plant, real estate, residential area, siding, suburb, tree, black, brown

Exterior view of this new apartment block apartment, architecture, building, condominium, cottage, estate, facade, home, house, mixed use, neighbourhood, property, real estate, residential area, sky, window, teal, brown

view from the ouitdoor balcony looking out into furniture, home, house, interior design, living room, outdoor furniture, outdoor structure, plant, table, tree, window, wood, brown

There's something about a holiday by the beach that appeals to just about everyone. That feeling of connecting with nature, plus our natural affinity with water, causes a shift in thinking and we become more aware of the world around us and our impact upon it.

The effect we have on our surroundings, and what we can do to negate it, is now permeating all aspects of society, including the construction industry, says project architect Paolo Denti of JMA Architects, Queensland.

"When designing the Viridian Noosa project there was a concerted effort to minimise the development's impact on its surroundings both physically and visually."

Comprising three stages residential homes, apartments, and a yet-to-be-completed resort Viridian Noosa was conceived using environmentally sustainable design practices. Everyone involved in the project's construction was chosen for their innovative products and techniques.

Denti says Viridian has set a construction benchmark in Noosa and is the only development of its kind in the region.

"It is an altogether different kind of beast. The materials chosen in Viridian's construction are a metaphor for the natural environment. The lightweight construction technique we employed was innovative and challenging, and the finished product is more than testament to the process."

Since completion, Viridian Noosa Residences stage two of the development has won multiple awards, including best building of the year at the RAIA Sunshine Coast Regional Awards 2006.

The project was also awarded the UDIA Suncorp Queensland Awards for Excellence 2006 in the Large Medium Density Development category. The development is also nominated in the RAIA National Awards.