Description

The Maroubra housing project, designed by BVN with Clare Design, comprises 20 two and three storey apartments located 300m from Maroubra Beach

Designed specifically to respond to its coastal location in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, the apartments have ‘through’ plans that assist in capturing cool sea breezes in summer and northern winter sun. Generous balconies and courtyards, a variety of sun-shading devices, aluminium shutters and large roof overhangs create enjoyable and effective living spaces. These strategies further facilitate an indoor/outdoor relationship and reinforce the relationship to the coastal landscape. A conscious decision was made to relate materials and colours to this coastal landscape and experience.

The passive solar design principles employed in the design and construction of this project have delivered high comfort levels for the occupants, and low energy usage.

The urban and site design aspects of the project have been resolved with a combination of apartments with direct street and park access, and an internal landscape pedestrian and vehicular courtyard that promotes informal social interaction.

This arrangement avoids the alienation of the underground carpark. Street and park frontages are equally activated and informal surveillance is optimised.