Apartment block design feasibility, Paradise Point, Gold Coast
The following example is a feasibility design for a pair of double story apartments in Paradise Point on the Gold Coast for a small property developer. The client requested a design that with irregular walls yet could be constructed cost effectively as it appealed to his target clients. Each apartment was designed to have 4 bedrooms and a study. Living spaces, double car spaces + storage and private roof gardens.
The ground floor is semi-basement, cut into the ground sufficiently to keep the profile down yet high enough to achieve natural drainage from the carpart to the lower street level around the corner of this corner block. Within the ground floor design there is also laundry rooms and secondary entrances into the apartments as well as storage for each apartment. A plunge pool is shared between the apartments and within the housing estate a larger communal pool is available to residents. Access into the apartments from the street is available via the first floor with a pair of stairs framing the driveway entrance. Provision was allowed within the design for a future lift although the developer was not installing this.
The first floor has the study, main living room and kitche / dining rooms in an open plan formet. A powder room and WC was placed on this floor for convienence. Each apartment has a main entrance at this level via a common porch open to a breezeway. The breezeway being open from the ground floor through to the roof level. The potential conversion of this space was pre-designed for the future installation of an elevator. From the living room each apartment has a balcony which has a view to the water at the end of the street.
The second floor contains the bedrooms, Each bedroom has its own ensuite, ideal for older children or guests who want their own space. The master bedroom ensuite containing the most features. The master bedroom has access to the balcony at the front and benefits from access to the breezeway. Bedroom 2 has a small julliet style balcony.
One of the main features of this apartment design is the roof garden. A private sancturary for each apartment. Allowance has been made within the design to continue a future elevator all the way up to the roof garden with the lift overrun forming part of the external design. A services area for airconditioning units and other equipment has been allowed for to keep this equipment out of sight and to control any noise. Set between the two apartments so as to contain the equipment in one location.
The roof garden was designed to capture panoramic views, a covered outdoor entertaining space and provision for a jacuzzi and BBQ within a dedicated recess.
The apartment block plans, designed and drafted by SKETCH3D are modelled in a virtual 3D environment, and so include an interactive 3D walkthough at no cost to the client, used to explore and assist in the understanding of the design rather than trying to read 2D plans alone. A massive advantage for builders, developers and home owners.
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3D Visualisation - Sketch render effect
Projects involving external works benefit from 3D views as part of the drawing package to explain the intended design to all of the contractors as well as providing a cover sheet to the design documents. The 3D views clearly show the external features of the design, including the use of slanted walls, angular forms an aerofoil louvres. The use of black and white / greyscale keeps printing costs and file sizes low. The sketch render effect is easier on the eye than hard line CAD drawings, explains the design ideas and avoids the distraction of details that are otherwise covered in technical working drawings.. - Return to top
Apartment design - Site Plan
When drafting plans for a new building design, a site plan is required, showing the setbacks from the boundaries, the location of the works, site coverage and important site features that will affect the development and building applications. The parameters of the site have been defined by the developer as part of their overall development approval and so must be approved by the developer. This particular site is a corner block and the building has been designed to visually turn the corner. - Return to top
Apartment block design - Ground floor plan
The ground floor plan of this design is a semi-basement, cut in to the ground along the front elevation and at ground level to the right side rear corner allowing the carpark to be drained by gravity reducing the running an maintenance costs of the building. Each apartment has two parking bays, storage and a laundry with access to hanging space out the rear. Each apartment also has a secondary from the parking area as well as provision for a future elevator via a breezeway which is open from the ground floor through to the roof garden. - Return to top
Apartment block design - First floor plan
The first floor contains the main living room open plan with the kitchen and dining. There is a study and a powder room + WC for convienience. A common porch leads into the main apartment entry of each apartment The living room has access to a balcony. - Return to top
Apartment block design - Second floor plan
The second floor contains the bedrooms. Each bedroom has an ensuite and the master bedroom is complete with a walk in robe and a fully inclusive ensuite. The Master bedroom also has a balcony with views of the water down the street and is open to the breezeway. The 2nd bedroom also has a sliding door opening onto a small julliet style balcony improving the sense of space. The main stair runs from the ground floor plan right through to the roof garden, at each level access has been pre-planned for a future elevator. - Return to top
Apartment block design - Roof garden
The roof garden has been designed to be the crowning feature of this apartment block, it has panoramic views and includes space for a jacuzzi and a covered entertaining space as well as a recess for built in BBQ facilities. Within the roof garden plan is a dedicated space for airconditioning and other equipment, designed to keep it out of sight and placed so as to separate the apartments. Access to the roof garden is via a stair within each apartment and provision for a future elevator. - Return to top
Apartment block design - Front elevation
The street elevation of the proposed apartment block has been designed with sloping walls and angular features, appealing to the tastes of the prospective buyers. Finished with contrasting renders, Powder coated aerofoil louvers and glazed balustrades with timber rails. Secondary walls are clad with painted profiled sheeting. - Return to top
Apartment block design - Side elevations
The side elevations turn the corner and transition from the angular front elevation to a more regular rear elevation. A change of material has also been introduced in the form of vertical timber battening. - Return to top
Apartment block design - Rear elevation
The rear elevation will be facing buildings of similar proportions, however it will be visible so features have been included to continue the theme of the design from the side elevations, including contrasting render colours and vertical timber battening. A lift overrun has been pre-planned and included within the design. - Return to top
Apartment block design - Section A-A
Sections through the proposed apartment building design are included on the plans drafted, showing the relationship between levels, ceilings and notating structure in locations which explain the design intent and demonstrate compliance. - Return to top
Apartment block design - Section B-B
Sections through the proposed apartment building design are included on the plans drafted, showing the relationship between levels, ceilings and notating structure in locations which explain the design intent and demonstrate compliance. - Return to top
Apartment block design - Landscape plan
A landscape plan has been produced for presentation to the estate developer. Although this is only a draft it is intended as a guide for the benefit of a landscape architect. The landscape architect's plans would then form part of the developer approval application. - Return to top
