bangalay residences
Queenscliff NSW
Bangalay Residences is a coastal development that takes place on an infill site sandwiched between two four storey brick apartments and flanked by another set of apartments to the rear. The restrictive nature of the narrow site, the imposing presence of the existing bangalay tree and the scale and proximity of the neighbouring buildings enticed a uniquely compact and intensively site responsive design. Internal planning requirements often clashed with external urban conditions and constraints, resulting in a unique dance between volumetric spaces and the skin that surrounds it. With spaces pushed to its physical limits, the facade had to respond cleverly to negotiate internal and external experiences such as utilising internal splayed windows carved away into the body of the building to gain opportunities for views, specially arranged windows to maintain visual amenity between buildings and uniquely arranged sliding screens to articulate the street and rear facades. The building draws much inspiration from its coastal context, utilising angular motifs to mimic the face of an unbroken wave, layered (and seemingly receding) sliding screens reminiscent of peeling waves rolling into shore, the use of concrete and stone to represent the durability of the rock formations by the sea, gold metal highlights inspired by the brightness of the sun and sand coloured bricks that pay homage to the beach and the neighbouring brick buildings surrounding it. Bangalay Residences contains three generously spacious apartments each with three large bedrooms, a master suite, a media room with library and an open plan kitchen, dining and living arrangement with outdoor entertainment.
Photography by Simon Whitbread