Cox Richardson Architects are showcasing the potential of transport-oriented development, with three residential towers going up directly above Chatswood Station, shops, bars and restaurants.
Cox Richardson director, Nick Tyrrell, said, "Socially, the exciting thing about this development is that it offers residents the real opportunity of never having to get into a car to travel to work, shop or meet friends for dinner or a drink. It offers people more time to spend together rather than on the road."
(Image:IVolve Studios)
"Not only does it reduce the stress of urban life for residents it also reduces stress on the environment and represents a real change in thinking on how we live in the more dense parts of cities in Australia."
The initial design concept for the development, jointly conceived by Cox Richardson and DesignInc, crowns Chatswood’s Transport Interchange with distinct diadem created by the folding blades atop each tower.
Tyrrell said, "Architecturally, the exciting thing about this design is the ambiguity embedded in the scheme.
"There is an ambiguity of use for instance and restrained elegance achieved by the enclosure of the external balconies that improve amenity by controlling wind speeds on the balcony.
"Also the feature blade wall on each tower kicks out as a skirt to address down draughts onto the street below. Aesthetically, both these features and make it hard to tell if the building is residential or commercial in function and genre.
"The sleek metal and glass curtain walls emphasise the buildings height while the exceptionally slender forms are achieved via compact floor plates. The towers express symbolic connections to the north, south and west via the feature blade walls on one façade of each tower.
"These blades provide a city-scale signal or beacon expressing the broader rail network available to both residents and the general public, south towards the City, northwards to Hornsby and westwards to Epping and beyond."
Tyrrell said, "The towers respond to the Chatswood city grid, adjacent boundaries, rail alignment and minimise shadow impact on the Garden of Remembrance. There are strong pedestrian links connecting across the site at ground level that ensure high levels of activity adjacent to residential address points."
"The slenderness of the towers allow for more corner apartments, multi-directional views, cross-ventilation and greater light penetration. The apartments also have multi-purpose wintergardens which provide versatile living space.
Cox Richardson Associate, Ramin Jahromi, notes that, "At Metro Residences the relationship of indoor to outdoor living is fundamental. The Wintergarden spaces allow for year-round indoor-outdoor living in all weather conditions. When opened up they create fluid space that brings the outside in, when closed they form a separate room."
"The key to excellence in apartment design is, we believe, in creating a sense of space and light; an experience that extends from the entry through the living areas to the terrace. The building façade design maximises the incredible views, with many full height glazed panels allowing natural light to penetrate and enliven the living spaces.
Tania Taylor, Cox Richardson Associate responsible for the interior design on the project said, "Inside the apartments we were looking to provide connection and flow through between all the spaces."
"Kitchen zones become part of the living environment and a focal point rather than simply a utilitarian place to prepare meals."
