Offering a new level of luxury at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane, Woods Bagot has designed Banyan Tree Residences, international resort hotelier Banyan Tree's first residential development in Australia.
Overlooking the Brisbane River, the triangular site at the intersection of Main Street and River Terrace led to various façade responses. A robust street frontage along Main Street to the east is contrasted by a lighter, open solution facing River Terrace to the west. The River Terrace orientation offers unobstructed views over the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, the botanical gardens and the Brisbane CBD, while the opposite side has views towards the New Farm reach of the Brisbane River.
Woods Bagot Director Mark Damant said the design incorporates a fusion of the Banyan Tree brand and the surrounding environment to provide an authentic experience for residents. "Banyan Tree Residences will be a confident, sculpted building that seamlessly fits within its surrounds. The building offers open and light architecture facing the city, juxtaposed against a solid, textured facade facing Main Street as one moves around the iconic triangular site," Damant said.
The location of the site, together with Banyan Tree's approach toward the end-user experience, was the inspiration for the project's interiors.
Woods Bagot Interior Designer Sarah McMahon said calm, understated and refined interiors take their cues from the building's sculpted facade, with the soft geometry set off by a neutral finishes palette. "The curved and gently angled internal walls work to maximise orientation to street frontages while creating living and bathing spaces that will set this development apart from its competitors. Rounded bathroom 'pods' provide a tranquil shower experience for residents." McMahon stated.
All apartments offer generous external amenity, with full length balconies on River Terrace providing strong connection with the outdoors. The rooftop will be a combination of private and communal pools with landscaped edges complemented by a curved glass canopy roof with varying heights and capsule-shaped lift and stair core, making a recognisable architectural contribution to the city's skyline.
The project will also see a River Terrace ground floor level established with a wide and generous canopy for retail tenancies to support Brisbane City Council's vision for the area, as well as a sculptural entry statement inspired by the ebb and flow of Brisbane's premier watercourse.
The display suite is now open and the project is scheduled for completion in early 2019.