Bay Vue Apartments

Sandy Bay, Tasmania

Status :

Completed 2019

Photography :

Adam Gibson

The Bay Vue apartment development in suburban Hobart comprises 14 apartments of varying size and orientation. The low-lying site fronts a major arterial road, and offers beautiful views of the River Derwent and kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

The design breaks down the typical apartment block into a family of buildings, maximising the number of apartments on the site without compromising the amenity of adjacent residences. The wings of the complex radiate from a central core on the southern boundary to bathe the apartments with light, capture the views and maintain privacy between apartments.

The stepped form of the new structure respects the scale of adjacent buildings and ensures that sunlight is not obstructed which gives each wing a unique character. Locating balconies and living rooms on the building’s street facades enables private spaces to be located to the rear of the apartments. Glass facades are set deep into the balconies and protected from the sun by blade walls.

Materials have been selected for robustness and warmth, bringing a playfulness to the site. The irregular window placement continues this theme, with screens helping to soften the elevations and mitigate overlooking where required. Pre-cast concrete with a highly durable paint system will ensure the building ages well over time.