About the project
Resting above the iconic Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye offers a limited collection of 68 spacious homes across three towers. With uninterrupted views of the Brisbane city skyline, Southbank, Botanic Gardens and the river’s reach, the architectural response is grounded by environmental performance, strong engagement with the public realm and vertical gardens that enliven the built form’s connection to the surrounding environment.
The response draws on a local understanding of the relationship between sub-tropical living, the active lifestyle afforded by the location and the impact of architecture on the identity of Brisbane.
Design Principles
The architectural resolution aligns enduring principles of Brisbane’s local design discourse and achieves the aspirations of the Brisbane City Centre Master Plan (BCC CCMP) Buildings that Breathe Design Guide. The striking built form is authentically generated by the constrained site; narrowly pointing North and providing commanding north-west views towards the city skyline. Key design elements include:
- Generous deep balconies and operable screening devices on the East and West façades to balance views, privacy, sunlight and heat-gain.
- A welcoming public realm on the ground plane that provides protective footpath awnings, subtropical landscaping and café / retail tenancies.
- An expansive sky terrace which delivers a publicly accessible restaurant and bar as well as a private resident’s pool, kabanas and lounge spaces.
- The apartment planning achieves cross flow ventilation and increased natural light through the louvered and vegetated recesses.
Sky residents will benefit from the adjacent green spaces and the highly active pedestrian network linking to The Gabba, Southbank and Brisbane Central Business District (CBD). The ground plane aims to positively contribute to the lively pedestrian experience with a publicly accessible cross-block link connecting River Terrace and Main Street. The public realm will be enlivened with retail tenancies and arrival spaces set in and amongst landscaped outdoor rooms.
Sub-tropical Apartments
With the site narrowly pointing north, and primary views to the north-west, a thoughtful architectural response has been developed provide opportunities for residents to; engage with green spaces surrounding the Kangaroo Point cliffs, enjoy the movement and vitality of the Brisbane River, and amplify the dynamic backdrop of the Brisbane CBD. The floorplate is punctuated with recessed operable windows that increase natural permeating light and improves ventilation in each home.
The residential levels offer generous private balconies for gathering and solace whilst the sky terrace animates the roof line with spaces for people to enjoy and experience the spectacular site location at leisure.
Illuminated Façade
High visibility from Brisbane CBD affords Skye an iconic presence in the annual Light Up Brisbane event. The building form and façade design addresses dynamic illumination as three themes:
Theme 1: Lighting for Occasion; temporary projections onto building frontage
Theme 2: Lighting for Identity
Theme 3: Lighting for Discovery
Sustainability
Sustainability initiatives embedded into the design include;
- Optimised day lighting via articulated balconies and recessed light wells that open into internal living spaces.
- Integrated operable screening which enhances privacy control, sun shading and building composition.
- Cross flow ventilation is achieved through a considered floorplate design, operable windows and screening
- Carefully articulated outdoor rooms and balconies punctuate the building ground plane, façade and rooftop.
- Ground plane gardens and deep planting.
- Integrated waste management spaces for separating and capturing of valuable recyclables.
- Deep balconies provide passive sun protection, with solid balustrade up stand and an integrated, operable awning.
- Elevated gardens to the sky terrace and balcony recessed planters deliver high amenity green relief and mitigate urban heat island effect.
