La Flor - 128 - 130 Swann Road [Taringa, Brisbane]
The “La Flor” development is located in Taringa, on a 1034 sqm sloping site at 128-130 Swann Road previously occupied by two single-level houses. The site presents an opportunity to create a building of significance on a street of iconic character in the established inner-west suburb of Brisbane, a leafy locality with panoramic views towards the city.
The development consists of 9 luxury city apartments within a 6-storey building. There are two apartment types (2 apartments per floor and a 1 storey penthouse). The 2 per floor apartments have three-bedrooms and the penthouse has four-bedrooms with its own private rooftop. The remainder of the rooftop is allocated for resident amenities, featuring a resort-style pool, sauna facilities, ample seating areas, barbecue spaces, and sun lounges. Also, the design incorporates an undercroft wellness zone beneath the building, featuring outdoor gym, yoga, and entertainment areas spread across various terraces amidst lush landscaping.
In our work we synthesise research and understand patterns in nature to deliver site-specific solutions that are rich, beautiful and functional – like the natural world. In this project we have taken inspiration from the unfurling of a flower’s petals. The architecture that emerges is a building that oscillates between openness and enclosure exemplifying sub-tropical design. The organic, curvilinear, flower-like form is pivotal in its ability to reduce the perception of bulk and scale when perceived from external viewpoints.
The continuous curvilinear floating low-profile slab extensions on the facades provides climatic control and reduces heat loads. The design allows for a transparency within the building to maximise views but at the same time the glazing envelope is protected from direct sun incidence through the use of slab extensions. Visually this low-profile slab extensions creates a high level of modulation both horizontally and vertically and presents an attractive sculptural interface especially to the Southern facade which will bring a captivating new character to the leafy Swann Road.
Following the natural symmetry and arrangement of flower petals, each apartment has its individual sculptural expression. Outdoor spaces are seamlessly integrated with the internal spaces contributing to the overall feeling of openness and providing enhanced cross ventilation throughout all internal areas. Flexible living patterns are encouraged through the allocation of large balconies on the Northern side of each apartment which enables semi-outdoor living all-year round in the sub-tropical climate taking advantage of the favourable North aspect.
This iconic building will create a structure that harmonizes with both the urban and natural environment of the leafy iconic character of Taringa as well as a stunning addition to the pedestrian experience along the Swann Road, optimised through the active engagement of the ground plane with street orientated landscape solutions. The cascading vegetation complements the organic architecture of the building, strategically positioned to enhance both internal and external privacy while also fostering a deeper connection with the surrounding greenery. The façade brings a sculptural connection to the streetscape, embedding the building in its context and contributing to Taringa’s sense of place.
CONTRERAS EARL Architecture 2024
Project : La Flor
Client : Confidential
Status : Development Application In Progress
Landscape Architect : Urbis
