100 Glover Street
Esque is a medium density residential apartment building with 29 Units. The judges felt that the arrangement of the development in an H- shaped form was particularly successful in its integration with the adjacent context. It enabled the proposal to provide a strong presentation and interaction with both Glover St and the laneway at the rear. It also allowed for two generous courtyard spaces in the inset portions of the H. One serves as a delightfully landscaped communal and private open space for residents whilst also providing a landscape buffer to the adjoining residential properties. The others forms a central court or atrium that forms part of the entry sequence for residents, providing opportunities for a luxurious green wall and other elements of art.
The configuration also provides sustainable dual or triple aspect apartments with cross flow ventilation and good solar access. This is combined with other sustainability measures to ensure running costs for residents are minimised.
The architecture provides well detailed articulated facades that are weathering extremely well. High quality materials have also been used that contribute to the high quality of the building in its presentation to the streets and to the adjoining properties.
Sustainability
Sustainability is an intrinsic component of ESQUE. The design specification and material selection focuses on the reduction of recurrent costs, whilst dual or triple aspect apartments designed around the western atrium provide full height sliding and stacking glass doors and windows which have been strategically positioned to maximise solar penetration and natural cross flow ventilation, thus minimising the use of lighting and air conditioners.
Innovative sustainable design elements:
Apart from the design elements mentioned above, ESQUE provides the following sustainable design elements;
- Carbon monoxide monitoring is provided in the basement thus ensuring the basement exhaust system only operates when required (not 24 hours per day).
- Energy saving sensor lighting system to each lobby and basement car park level reduce energy consumption.
- The hot water system is a commercially designed, environmentally sensitive, gas-fired ring main system.
- Harvesting and storage of rainwater in 75,000 litre rainwater tank which is used for landscaping irrigation as well as the car wash bay.
- A gas bayonet is provided in each living room (for gas heating, which is cheaper and more efficient than air conditioning) and on each balcony.
- Miele appliances have been chosen for their energy efficiency.
Environmental footprint of the building is minimised by:
The reduction of recurrent costs and the use of natural materials are two of the greatest factors in reducing the environmental footprint of any building. The following elements have been incorporated at ESQUE;
- A high performance thermal roof system provides an R value significantly in excess of BASIX requirements.
- Extensive sun shading, through the provision of large overhangs and louvres reduces ‘solar heat gain’.
- A fully insulated external wall system provides a high level of thermal control and comfort.
- Australian plantation timber for internal flooring and external timber decks.
- Miele appliances have been chosen for their energy efficiency.
- Indigenous plants have been chosen for their drought resistance.
- The majority of ensuites are naturally ventilated.
- A lockable bike store has been provided.
Architect
PCA Architects
Project Date
2014
Award
Multi Dwelling Development