PBD Architects acknowledges the First Nations of the Countries on which we work. Paying respect to Elders both past, present and emerging
Escape
back to projects
year

2022

location

Surfers Paradise

client

Luxcon Australia

status

In Development

first nation

Bundjalung Nation

Comprising 28 whole-floor penthouse-style apartments on the absolute beachfront half-way between Broadbeach & Surfers Paradise, Escape encapsulates the freeing atmosphere of the surrounding environment with a crane-like form and sleek ripple symmetry in its design, forging a new dimension to the area amongst a sea of beachfront architecture incorporating coastal curvature and sleek ripple effects in their designs.

The proposed building form consists of a three-level podium box, and a skinny tower sitting on top. This initial form derives from the concept of a single unit per floor plate that vertically rises into the coastal skyline. All residences encompass a full-floor with no adjoining walls, plus two dual level penthouse residences and one garden villa residence with an oversized wrap around terrace balcony.

The articulation of the tower is accentuated by its clear horizontal line and is proportional to the podium below. The horizontal language of the building is further solidified through the design of the balcony banding that extends on the eastern and western facades which will provide prevailing views of the ocean and the Nerang River. The double-height break at the middle of the tower compositionally divides the tower form through increased transparency, so the rest of the tower above will present as a floating element.
Inspired by origami where a simple rectangular paper begins to transform into a sculptural object
Inspired by the natural transition or movement from the coast to the air by the cooling coastal breeze, Japanese art of paper folding, origami, a simple rectangular paper begins to articulately transform into a sculptural object. Like the movement of a bird flying off from the coast, the façade of the tower is folded slightly inwards on the centre and corners to create a wing-like effect as viewed from a distance.

Two distinctly different polygons define the Garfield terrace building. An effortlessly elegant tower with a sleek and gentle changing form rests on top of an angularly structured podium.
The Diamond Truss expression is cohesively integrated into the podium and tower form
The interplay of light and shadow is further highlighted through the Diamond Truss expression and the use of timber screens, where their sensory expression changes throughout the time of day.

The balcony of the tower reflects the folding technique with the use of single and double slab edges that are folded upwards, painted in white and sand like colours respectively. The different textures and colours of the slab edge and soffit will further emphasise the taper expression of the tower when viewing it from a distance.

Team