Project Overview

The design proposals for Manta and Alaris, have been drawn from an analysis and reading of the qualities and characteristics of the locality and context. Their sinuous forms compress and open out in a strong entrance sequence to Prince Henry, reinforcing the corners at the intersection of Pine Avenue and Anzac Parade, stepping down and peeling back to reveal a new public space and the elegant facades of the Flowers Wards, heritage landscape and coastal vistas beyond. The new north facing open space and ground level retail create both a community and commercial heart for Prince Henry.

Behind the screened facades, three to four levels of apartments are oriented toward easterly views, the city and Botany Bay. A random pattern forms the primary street walls, while providing shade and privacy to the private open space and interiors beyond. The orientation of the apartments and avoidance of overlooking is a direct result of building form and internal planning initiatives. In particular, the overlooking of primary living areas and external private open spaces, as well as the number of apartments facing each other across Pine Avenue, is minimised. External shading systems and staggered vertical blades augment building performance.

Project Commissioner

Stockland

Project Creator

Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt)

Team

Architect: FJMT
Practice Team: Richard Francis-Jones, Jeff Morehen, David Haseler, Annie Hensley, Simon Barr, Jodie Matthews, Kathryn Tracey, Petra Blahova Kandusova, Chris Bridge, Andrew Chung, Igor Molitor, Janine Deshon, Natalie Fan, Owen Sharp, Lilian Lau.

Consultant Team:
Helen Mulcahy Urban Design - Planner
Aurecon - Structural Engineer
George Floth Consulting Engineers - Electrical & Mechanical Engineer
LHO Group - Hydraulic consultant?
AE&D - BCA Consultant?Cundall Johnston & Partners - Environmental consultant
JD MacDonald - Waste Management Consultant
WT Partnership - Quantity Surveyors?
Colston Budd Hunt & Kafes - Traffic Consultant?
Oculus - Landscape Architect
Renzo Tonin & Associates - Acoustic consultant
Accessibility Solutions - Access Consultant
Tanner and Associates - Heritage consultant
Construction Team: SJA Project Management - Project Manager
St Hilliers - Contractor
Stockland - Developer

Project Brief

In the context of budget constrained floor area, apartments are designed to maximise efficiency. The majority of plans provide media areas, minimise circulation space and maximise livable space. They are positioned to take advantage of prevailing breezes and promote cross ventilation; including single oriented apartments, which are augmented with solar stacks. Each living space aligns with a generous private open space, which together with garden terraces and communal landscaped areas create amenity for residents as well as attractive foregrounds to views.

Project Innovation / Need

The building forms and internal planning strategies maximise the number of apartments with views to the coast, the City and Botany Bay and orient apartments to take advantage of prevailing winds. The shape of the building has also allowed for a variety of apartment styles and layouts. Common corridors have been kept to a minimum to maximise cross ventilation and solar access. The spacious private communal garden located over the elevated podium offers a valuable green space aspect for the residents and provides further opportunity for outdoor recreation.

The new community space contributes positively to the public realm of Prince Henry and is an initiative not anticipated in council guidelines. Situated at the important intersection of Pine Avenue and Brodie Avenue / Jenner Avenue, it is an active, north facing space with views down Pine Avenue to the coastline; a space to be enjoyed by the community. Cafe seating and informal gathering space are integral with the image of the community space, reinforced by primary ground level retail space creating a commercial heart for the Prince Henry Community and beyond.

Design Challenge

The commission was won by competition in 2004. Many iterations were undertaken during a prolonged approval process. Subsequent to approvals, Stockland reacted to a significant shift in the housing market influenced by the First Home Owner’s grant and the housing affordability crisis. The reconfiguration resulted in increased yield and smaller, more affordable apartments - a highly successful strategy resulting in the Lot 11 offer selling out in one weekend. fjmt gave careful consideration to the planning of these smaller apartments to ensure that amenity and quality was retained.

Sustainability

ESD principles have been integrated into all aspects of design development, construction and operation. Stockland and Landcom developed benchmark environmental criteria for Prince Henry. PV panels contribute to a renewable energy target of 85.4 tonnes of CO2 savings per year for the overall Stockland development zone. Solar hot water panels supply approximately 65% of hot water requirements. Grey water recycling provides water for WCs, car washing and irrigation.

Urban Design

This award recognises the process of designing and shaping cities, towns and villages, and is about making connections between people and places, movement and urban form, nature and the built fabric. 

Consideration will be given to giving form, shape and character to groups of buildings, streets and public spaces, transport systems, services and amenities, whole neighbourhoods and districts, and entire cities, to make urban areas functional, attractive and sustainable.

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