Woods Bagot and Hecker Guthrie reunite for Elwood House

3:00 pm UTC July 1, 2015 Jul 1, 2015 | by: Woods Bagot | Architecture

(Photo by: Woods Bagot)

Woods Bagot and Hecker Guthrie have again joined forces to deliver Piccolo’s vision for 31 thoughtfully-designed one, two and three bedroom apartments at Elwood House.

The design of the four level building references the leafy green beauty of Elwood and surrounding bayside environment in a contemporary interpretation of the existing neighbourhood character within the immediate local context.

The architectural form is a sophisticated, low scale insertion into a mature neighbourhood. The transition from the village street into a residential context has been considered carefully and the materials chosen for their quality and detail.

The building’s façade melds exposed concrete, slender profile brickwork handmade in Denmark and irrigated balcony planter boxes overflowing with greenery. All apartments feature large terrace spaces/ balconies and all bedrooms have natural light and ventilation.

Windows to the upper levels are expressed at the street edge and become recessed along Pine Avenue, reflecting the private nature of the residences behind. At ground level the façade to Ormond Road is hard edged to the boundary and further articulated to reflect the commercial use. The upper levels introduce a layering of brick elements with glass and incorporate planting to define the residential quality of the development.

Woods Bagot Group Managing Director Nik Karalis says a new standard of residential design has been set.

“With the exclusive number of apartments in Elwood House, we have created every apartment with a palette of solid grey brick and stone that reflects the tradition and the environment of Elwood Village. Every component of the architecture, interior design and outdoor balcony living has been considered for the occupants’ maximum benefit.”

The individual apartment interiors by 2 feature bespoke joinery, grey Aether natural stone floors and American Oak timber cabinetry in the kitchen and storage areas.

The design team spent six months perfecting a full-scale prototype two-bedroom apartment as the display suite which will be 100% reused.

Construction commenced in June and will be completed by the end 2016. Sales of the apartments saw a local record broken for the price of the penthouse, selling for AUD2.95 million, representing a rate of more than AUD17,000 per sqm.

Woods Bagot has previously collaborated with Hecker Guthrie on ivy, Sydney, The Garden House, Melbourne, and Cornwell Residence, Melbourne.