Platform Architects were tasked with exploring a proposal for a gateway site in a buzzing suburb on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. Our studio consistently work on testing the envelope on all our sites, and this one was no different as we found both an appropriate scale of architecture and a contextual fit with the desired future character of the area. A multi level basement grounds the two floors of retail/commercial as well as the 11 stores of residential apartments above. All of which take advantage of location, close proximity to amenities and district views.
This project is a great example of our support for greater density in and around appropriate local centres whilst still maintaining a generous landscaped setting.
Year: 2023
Location: North Steyne / Manly NSW
Status: Approved- Design Development
Team: Bridie Gough, Sofia Faur, Elisa De Cecchi
Town Planner: Ethos Urban
Client: Lindsay Bennelong
CGI: Estudio NOD, Third Aesthetic
Finn is a collection of five full floor residences, situated along the foreshore of the world-renowned Manly Beach. It was granted approval through Northern Beaches Council, despite having both a height and FSR breach. The skillful design ensured a seamless contextual fit, contributing to a more sustainable beach front architectural language.
Drawing inspiration from the natural elements surrounding the site, the organic lines of the building mimic the waves and the sand, while the use of natural materials and sustainable design principles pay homage to the coastal environment. The fabric-like element wraps the northern facade and provides not only visual interest but also addresses privacy and solar control to the residences.
We worked closely with the clients on this one – again proving that a strong collaborative approach leads to great outcomes.
Place: Dharug Country, Edmondson Park
Team: Frida Blomqvist, Renata Berger, Camila Ortiga, Bridie Gough
Planner: Ethos Urban
Status: DA approved
The skewed gabled roof form is a prominent and contemporary design that immediately piques people’s interest whilst being both familiar and human in scale.
The homes are organised into small groupings with each grouping given a different material or colour to create a sense of ownership and individuality in a larger context. A mix of two and three storey dwellings with different setbacks create an interesting rhythm along the street and maximises solar access and cross ventilation into the blocks.
Place: Castlecrag, Land of the Cameraigal People
Team: Frida Blomqvist, Renata Berger, Bridie Gough
Planner: Gyde
Status: DA approved
Sustainable principles such as crossflow, orientation and solar access played a great role in the design of these apartments. Generous living areas face north and flows out onto expansive balconies flanked by cascading planters.
Greenery, wood and stone provide a tactile environment of natural materials. Sweeping curves soften the building and creates interest and individuality to each residence.
III Oyama is a response to the foreshores of Manly Cove. The west facing site had to address the complexities of balancing views with the harsh westerly sun. Angled off form concrete shapes work to steer and direct the residents views whilst also providing shading. The built form is well articulated along the north and south facades to allow for water glimpses from the spaces further from the waters edge. The raw materiality of the design allows for the building to age gracefully and for the architecture to maintain a timeless aesthetic.
Place: Guringai / Manly NSW
Status: Completed
Team: Bridie Gough, Frida Blomqvist
Town Planner: BBF
Heritage Consultancy: Architectural Projects
Contractor: Nazero
Photography:
Nestled on the isthmus of Manly, this building is connecting the heritage of Manly with the future fabric of the area. Curved brickwork are reminiscent of the art deco buildings on the street whilst being contemporary in bond and detailing.
With a light and beachy palette, the apartments and building design ties in with the sand and the natural environment. Dual aspect apartments allow for cross flow and ample natural light.
For this proposal, Platform was awarded the WINNER of the terrace house category in the NSW Government Missing Middle Design Competition.
The proposal sought to reclaim the front yard of suburbia for recreational purposes by relocating parking to a shared area at the rear of the site. The idea of redundant front yards is something becoming too prevalent in modern communities and our proposal sought to promote the front yard as a place for interaction, connection, engagement, surveillance, and activation which in turn results in a greater sense of community and pride of place. The proposal was praised for its balance of private, shared and public spaces throughout the development. The proposed scheme is applicable to a variety of sites and orientations, ensuring a flexible and generously sized dwelling that caters to a modern family’s varied needs.
Place: Guringai / Manly NSW
Status: LEC Approved
Team: Bridie Gough, Ondrej Hromadko, Maria Davila, Pavel Hruza
Town Planner: BBF
Change is the essence of life. The Henry has been with Platform for a few years now. The pathway is not always linear, but we realise and advocate that all obstacles can be overcome through constructive collaboration amongst the design team, and through building solid relationships – a core value of Platform Architects.
Approved through the Land and Environment Court, this prominent corner site opportunity provides five residential apartments. All have been designed to bring a maximum level of amenity to the residents with the quintessential indoor-outdoor connection and considered privacy. Platform’s team is currently undertaking the construction documentation, hoping to deliver The Henry’s greatness shortly. Stay tuned!
Place: Guringai / Fairlight NSW
Status: Built
Team: Bridie Gough, Elisa De Cecchi, Ondrej Hromadko
Town Planner: BBF
Contractor: TQM
Photography: Elisa De Cecchi
This multi dwelling proposal was perhaps the quickest DA approval we have had.
The built form follows the contours of the landscape as it falls from north to south by some 25m.
Each dwelling has private lift access and is arranged across 2 levels, which ensures each room appreciates the views across Sydney Harbour and out to the heads.
Maximizing the GFA on the site whilst still providing for generous landscaped areas resulted in two pavilions. A class 1 dwelling at the top and 2 x class 2 apartments at the lower end which also allowed for less excavation, a softer footprint and generous north facing courtyards to two of the dwellings.
Place: Guringai / Manly NSW
Status: LEC Approved
Team: Bridie Gough, Frida Blomqvist, Maria Davila, Elisa De Cecchi, Ondrej Hromadko
Town Planner: BBF
Platform inherited a court approved design for the site and stepped up to the challenge, refining and evolving the design to align with a more contemporary coastal aesthetic. Surrounded by Interwar brick buildings, we explored a light brick in a modern form.
16 Apartments wrap around a retained heritage building, ensuring a clear definition between old and new.
This project is located in the heart of Manly’s CBD, close to our office, so our understanding of the site became intrinsic to the final design which sits comfortably mid-way between harbour and ocean.
