News

Scheduled for completion 2024

Occupying a prominent position at the corner of MAB Circuit and overlooking the greenway reserve, the design for the Modo Apartments has been developed in direct response to its site context. Adjoining the Arete Apartment development to its north and located adjacent to the Vertex Apartments on the opposite side of the reserve, the Modo Apartments compliments its site context in form and materiality.

Careful planning of floor plates ensured the alignment of balconies and matching roof lines with the neighbouring development. The use of projected balcony boxes on the east and west façade reference the design of the balconies on the Arete Apartment providing consistency of form and scale.

On the south side, the building form bears resemblance to the composition of the Vertex Apartments including the saw-tooth roof profile which was developed in respect to the saw-tooth roofs of the historic Manufacturing Assembly Building (MAB).

Occupying the same footprint as the neighbouring Arete Apartments, clever design planning has led to an increase in yield, delivering more 3-bedroom apartments – most with views over the greenway reserve. Capitalising on the steep grade of the site, the separation of grade parking has served to provide 2 additional parking spaces – allowing 1 parking space for each apartment.

Large glazed windows and projecting balconies on the south façade serve to provide connection to and activation of the greenway reserve whilst contributing to provide flood lit internal spaces.

In 2017, Swanbury Penglase was approached by Peet to design a new 6-storey apartment building in Tonsley Village. The apartment was set to be tallest development in the residential estate providing a total of 28 dwellings comprising 1, 2 & 3-bedroom apartments.

The modest allotment had a steep grade from front to back creating many planning challenges including for site access and the planning of on-site car parking facilities. A number of parking options were explored including a multi-deck arrangement; however it was ultimately decided that a reduced number of on-grade parking spaces shall be provided. Car parking access was made available from the lower ground floor level from Alice Lane with separate public access provided from Eliza Place. Capitalising on the natural fall across of the site, the carpark is serviced by high-level grilles to provide natural ventilation avoiding the need for costly mechanical ventilation systems. Access from Eliza Place is via an external portico with stairs and ramps for disability access.

Designed around a central core, the apartment planning is highly efficient with minimum circulation corridors. Optimally proportioned, the apartments are planned to maximise access to natural light and ventilation with generous balconies and uninterrupted views.

The building is articulated through the design of projected balcony boxes and the application of painted squares to create a playful checkerboard pattern across the façade.

Scheduled for completion 2024

Named after its expressive roof form which was inspired by the saw-tooth roof of the Main Assembly Building (MAB) opposite, Vertex Apartments is the product of a long-standing and trusted partnership between Peet and Swanbury Penglase. Sitting pride-of place on MAB Circuit, Vertex Apartments brings a new expression to apartment living at Tonsley Village.

The development has been planned as four distinct buildings which will be delivered over four separate stages. The planning of separate buildings is designed to reduce the built form along the streetscape. Openings in the façade serve to allow access & views between the buildings improving the connection between Tonsley Village and MAB Circuit. The separation between buildings also provides improved access for natural light into the apartments with windows carefully positioned to prevent overlooking. As a gateway project into Tonsley Village, the apartments are designed with large private balconies providing activation of MAB Circuit. Extensive landscaping along the road verge provides a sensitive interface along MAB Circuit whilst providing screening for ground floor apartments.

The buildings are articulated by a series of ‘picture frames’ which define the edges of the balconies and serve to provide privacy between the apartments. With its saw-tooth roof and white metal cladding, the form is expressive of the distinctive saw-tooth roof of the MAB opposite. The linear composition and repeated forms are designed to emulate a row of townhouses contributing to a more residential scale. Overall, the selection of materials reflects the industrial history of the site and a sense of place in Tonsley Village.

The 4-storey development will be delivered using lightweight timber framed construction appropriately designed to meet the sound transmission and insulation provisions and fire-resisting construction requirements of the NCC.

Scheduled for completion 2025

Positioned along Alawoona Avenue and framing the gateway into the Tonsley Innovation District, Swanbury Penglase, in collaboration with Peet, will deliver a 4-stage, six-storey residential development providing a total of 120 dwellings with a choice of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments.

The development has been planned around the provision for on-grade car parking accessible from the rear lane with apartment access located off Alawoona Avenue. An integrated landscaped verge will provide a sensitive interface with Alawoona Avenue which serves as a major thoroughfare for pedestrian access and connection to the Tonsley Railway Station. The landscape design and planting palette is consistent with the established landscaping throughout Tonsley and will contribute to enhance the landscape amenity along the road reserve.

The building design takes inspiration from site’s history as a car manufacturing plant. The use of repeated façade elements is a nod to the history of production of the assembly line whilst the intersecting folds and angles which form the reveals of the picture frame elements take inspiration from the metal forming processes in the production of car bodies.

The material palette, comprising blockwork, painted cladding, sheet metal and steel hoods and balustrades, is an honest reference to the site’s industrial heritage which allows the building to sit in harmony with its surrounding context. Artwork, in the form of large painted murals, will speak to the history of the site and celebrate its location as a gateway into Tonsley.

With the development of a new Swanbury Penglase office came the opportunity to create and deliver a trio of four level townhouses in a small scale multi-residential development.

Each townhouse addresses Gilbert street with a small secure porch and front door, the wrap around office development providing each with secure access to a double car garage space on the ground floor of the townhouse via the main office garage.

In addition to the double garage, the ground floor hosts a generous laundry, storage provisions and a water closet. Accessed via an open stair the first level contains the kitchen and living area and large external balcony enabling easy access to natural light and space every day. The open stair makes its way alongside one side of the townhouse to all levels, with views transitioning from the street to the hills as you ascend. The second level contains two double bedrooms, each with matching ensuite inclusive of shower, vanity and WC. The bedrooms also include custom built-in robes. The third and final level provides a discreet study/home office space at the top of the stair before opening onto a generous external roof terrace with open views to the hills and coast, creating a true oasis in the city.

High quality materials and detailing throughout combined with efficient planning maximise every available square metre to create comfortable and flexible inner city living without compromise.

Sited in a prominent location within the Bowden precinct, the design of this four storey residential development consciously drew on the history of the area and its industrial context. The dynamic facade references the sawtooth roof forms of the existing industrial buildings with materials and finishes evoking this historical industrial character. The articulation of the façade, with its projected window forms and balconies was a deliberate design response to activate the street frontage whilst capitalising on the views over the public park opposite.

Comprised of 34 residences, including one and two bedroom apartments and three bedroom penthouse suites, residences have a dual aspect, maximising natural light and promoting cross ventilation. Apartments are arranged around a large communal courtyard, ensuring a high degree of amenity, including facilities for outdoor cooking, entertainment and recreation.

The confined site posed a creative challenge to ensure that the project met the client’s commercial brief whilst still delivering high quality accommodation for residents. Collaboration with the construction manager throughout both the design and documentation phases allowed the project to be value engineered from the start ensuring a cost effective outcome.