Working closely with Daisho, the brief called for a highly polished and refined experience.
The Retail Precinct on the ground and podium levels of 180 Brisbane and 192 Central caters for both local staff and commuters passing through from Brisbane’s Central Station to the CBD.
With a wide variety of spaces for indoor and outdoor meetings, lunches or after-work gatherings, the brief called for a series of highly polished and curated experiences.
With growing demands for their psychiatric, psychologic and other allied health treatments, it was time for Family Nurture to expand into a new space supported by their new branding.
Dr Amin and his team were very keen to provide a comfortable space for everyone that is calm and welcoming. Their touches of monkeys and books add to the warmth and homely nature of this space.
The palette is refined to reinforce the calm, as are the textures and patterns. Everyone has been thought about here from the kids who want to draw, to those who need their own space away form others, to the staff looking to run training or share a consult room.
Photography by Arrow Media Collective
A space for a psychiatrist requires careful consideration of the interaction between professionals, their clients and their family. This suite highlights how professional care delivered in a thoughtful environment brings warmth and comfort to the experience.
Designed to inspire through glimpses to Mt Coot-tha and artwork by local indigenous artists, the visitors are welcomed into an interesting and private suite which is considerate of their privacy and sensitivity.
Visitors are welcomed to a professional space which has layers of softness through comfort, texture and materials. Given the Suite is small, the coffee area and water point are opened up to clients to encourage moving around the space and finding a place where visitors feel comfortable.
Photography by Cieran Murphy
Within the leafy surrounds of Taringa sits the new home for Generations Medical, consulting doctors and specialist suites with a small theatre.
The rise of medium sized facilities such as these away from hospital precincts encourages a different approach to the design. As in this case, the owners were very passionate about bringing energy from nature into their fitout. They were seeking a calm and professional appearance.
The design has elements of warmth and detail often found in a home, while remaining practical and comfortable. The palette reinforces the custom timber slab which wraps the reception and is very fresh and clean throughout.
There is a serenity within which is reinforced by the staff and their approach to patient care.
Photography by Arrow Media Collective
Working alongside the fitout contractor Apollo, and Q Coals leadership team, we set out to deliver a fresh environment for the growing QCoal team, over two floors. Drawing inspiration from the raw materials of mining, the palette was curated to include earthy and masculine tones to result in a space that is warm and inviting for both visitors and staff. Culturally the new space welcomes visitors from many nations, and encourages the Q Coal team to meet and collaborate every day. The empahsis was on providing suitable work areas which draw staff together.
The design was shaped by the client’s values and needs with a lot of importance on the space reflecting the permanence of the Queensland company. Central to the space planning was to include a large town hall where the staff can gather for team meetings and events. The outcome is uniquely Q Coal that will carry the client into the next decade.
Photography by Cieran Murphy
Ashford Residences is a master-planned residential enclave in Everton Park. The estate will comprise of a combination of attached and detached residences masterplanned to create a unique offering focusing on a owner occupier market.
In its current state, the site was used to house dairy livestock and has significant biodiversity and ecological overlays. These have influenced the masterplan design with a significant parcel of land to the south being dedicated as a landscaped wetland area which will bound the existing Kedron Brook reserve. The wetland will also act as an extension of the existing Kedron Brook Reserve, blurring the delineation between the waterway corridor and the site.
The existing Heritage-listed Murphy’s Dairy residence is located on the corner of Ashmore Street and the entry driveway into the development. This residence will form part of the “Entry Statement” into the development and may house uses such as a sales office. The integration of this dwelling into the development has been vital in respecting the sites previous life and defining a modern Queensland vernacular to continue throughout the development.
Monterey is nestled on one of the last remaining beachfront sites in Kirra Beach and was a rare opportunity to create something truly iconic. With approximately 50m of sweeping north-facing beach frontage and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean & Gold Coast coastline – there is no comparison.
With a tonal, textural palette of finishes, married with lush tropical landscaping, we wanted to blur the line between inside and out. We kept the hardscape natural, earthy, light, and crisp to let the colours of the landscape really pop. Strong horizontal banding, reminiscent of the layers of sand waves from tidal movement, exaggerate the curved edges to open each residence to the stunning views.
The result is 35 residences over 14 levels of smooth, fluid design aesthetic, inspired by the stunning natural landscapes that surround.
A fitout for this new tech company in Brisbane’s highly sought after Annex Building on Creek Street was the perfect fit. Digital Infratech are all about supporting a diverse group of local businesses across multiple industries, including IT, Data, Health, Manufacturing, Demographics and Property. Their new space needed to support this diversity in the groups who call it home. Sleek finishes, multiple meeting and breakout spaces, as well as separated working spaces were all worked through with the client and key stakeholders to achieve their goal.
The functionality of the various spaces, the different user groups and their hours of operation, all helped shape the design. Generous break-out spaces were placed throughout, giving staff the opportunity for a comfortable place to rest whenever they may be working. Our client also managed the construction of the project, and has resulted in an extremely high-quality finish, which they are proud to call home.
The process of planning and moving to our new home at 293 Queen Street, in the heritage-listed Custom Credit House, gave us a chance to pause, reflect and explore what was important to all the people who use our spaces – clients, visitors, staff members and friends alike.
In true Ellivo spirit, we knew that our space needed to have plenty of character and needed to support various activities from focused work to small and large meetings, as well as casual gatherings and more formal celebrations. The building itself informed the rhythm of the layout – breaking up different spaces, while still allowing them to be connected.
Moving to a new space allowed us to consider the changing office environment – we realised a need to create a flexible space which allows multiple people to work in different modes, and within separate areas. We identified the needs of the various users of our studio and tailored spaces to suit each of these. We created quieter meeting spaces away from work zones to allow for individual and small-group work, quiet phone seats, scrum areas for larger project team meetings and a long library and layout space along the central circulation spine – to inspire and foster team interaction. We also made sure that industry gatherings could be supported through the latest technology and design.
The Garden Bar is a great gathering space for us, as we embrace coming together again with each other and our community. We are excited to share our studio and watch as it grows over the coming years.
In years gone by families would take an outing to the airport in their Sunday best to see off a traveller, visit the viewing platform and see the swans swimming on the ponds at the airport. The viewing deck will now be home to Aspire Perth and offer their travellers an extension of their Western Australian experience.
The lounge focuses on the views to the tarmac with a variety of work and leisure spaces. Ambience and wellness flows through from the furnishings to the local food & beverage offerings. Indigenous artwork, local photography and a palette inspired by the landscape flows through the spaces that cater for all types of travellers.
Connectivity and flexibility is considered at all points throughout the lounge with the ultimate focus on ensuring the lounge is robust and adaptable to continue the Aspire reputation.
Working with a long-established client, the brief went outside of the normal requirements for a fitout and challenged us to deliver a truly multifunctional space that could provide a fresh work environment with space for large board-meetings, as well as smaller client meetings and casual team events.
Central to the design was the context of the heritage-listed building and the existing bones, which had been thoughtfully restored earlier. The building offered amazing vistas from windows in all spaces – giving city and mountain views and an ever-present connection to the outdoors.
The fitout elements were carefully designed to sit lightly within the space, with subtle layering of materials to soften it and to provide a warm and welcoming aesthetic – all the while paying attention to not impact on the heritage building. Our design addresses the many types of meetings, presentations, and gatherings that will help to enrich the Australian Unity business and its users. As the central communal space merges from more formal meetings to champagne and information sessions, the furniture changes to enable theatre seating and cocktail tables.
Acoustics and AV integration was critical to allow all spaces to deliver comfortable, practical, and user-friendly solutions – and we worked closely with suppliers and consultants to ensure these elements were integrated subtly into the design. The spaces feel welcoming and take the office environment to the next level for the client; supporting their company values and helping to build culture.
Photography by Mindi Cooke
The coastal landscape of Coolum is characterised by eroded edges, where the ocean and tides have cut and formed the rocky landscape. The First Bay development, consisting of two interlinked buildings, evokes qualities of this varied landscape in its architecture - with solid concrete forms and soft edges referencing the rocky beach front. The material palette further grounds the building within the sloping context – using neutral-coloured stone and smooth concrete that will age gracefully and patina over time.
Consisting of 38 two- and three-bedroom units, split across two buildings, First Bay makes the most of coastal living. The buildings were designed as a curated string of experiences; each step in the journey fulfilling a need created by the location. There are showers and surfboard stores at the entry from David Low Way; and materials were selected to be hardwearing and tactile while lighting is minimal and thoughtfully-placed.
Carefully-planned internal spaces allow for cross ventilation and natural light, and prioritise the living spaces towards the breathtaking views in the East. The units address the demands and desires of an owner-occupier market, with generous living and storage spaces, and hardwearing yet luxurious-feeling material choices.
By working with the natural slope of the site, each residence has been designed to open up to the desirable Northern orientation and Moreton Bay views; allowing for an ideal living environment with an abundance of natural light and cross-ventilation. Conceived as a series of individual homes – made up of a mix of apartments and townhomes – each residence has a strong identity, with landscaped arrival courtyards that offer a layered entry experience.
The architecture is made up of an arrangement of screens, walls and balustrades that act together to balance views, natural light, and ventilation with the need for privacy. The building edges are rounded off, which helps to widen the view corridor to the northeastern bay views. A natural, textured material palette compliments the surrounding coastal region, while also fitting in with the character of the existing residential neighbourhood.
Ellivo have worked alongside Traders in Purple to create a unique vision for a new luxury apartment building in the bayside suburb of Scarborough. The Landsborough Avenue project derives its form from the natural bays that occur along the Southern Queensland coastline.
Nestled on the leafy Landsborough Avenue Esplanade, this marquee site in the heart of the Scarborough Village represents everything that is quintessential to a coastal life style. This mixed use development enjoys a magnificent waterfront location with direct views across to Moreton Bay.
Renders by Near Visual
7 Dudley Street has an elegant timelessness with inherent resilience in both its finishes and form – inviting the outside in and talking to its neighbours; while also standing up to the ravages of time to create a long-lasting, truly sustainable building.
Over the building’s robust base-form is a lush layer of sub-tropical planting and a permeable layer of screens, balconies, and terraces. These elements extend into the building interior through expansive courtyards which enhance the liveability of the internal spaces, as well as adding visual interest and passive surveillance to the streetscape and the neighbouring park.
The planting is a mix of native flora and edible planting – increasing the biodiversity of the area, adding to the food security of native fauna, and mediating with the great Brisbane river along the delicate riparian zone. KIOME has been carefully considered to create the best of sub-tropical living for residents, while connecting with the community and natural environment in a meaningful way.
Located in the highly sought after area of Kangaroo Point, the development sets out to showcase the heritage significance of the existing residence, Thornclyffe. The tower form curves around the house, and makes use of large screen elements to create a backdrop to the heritage setting. The screens help to produce an aesthetic quality that blurs the line between background and foreground, inspired by the Bokeh photography style.
The development comprises of the existing heritage house and 20 luxury apartments, including two sub penthouses and two penthouse apartments that feature spacious, private rooftop gardens. The location and design of the tower captures a range of outlooks, from the Brisbane CBD, to stretches of the Brisbane River. Each apartment maximises its unique view with open-plan layouts and generous glazing.
The fluid form and curved edges of the façade emulate a “wing like” aesthetic that is balanced by a neutral palate of materials that allows the building form to speak for itself. This refined aesthetic is further enhanced through careful consideration of screening elements, balustrades and edge details. The balustrade design has been carefully considered to provide privacy to the balconies where required and opens-up to the expansive city, river and neighbourhood view at the upper levels. Residents also enjoy common facilities including resort style pool with views to the city skyline, and covered BBQ, dining and lounge areas.
The fluid form of the external has been thoughtfully carried into the apartments. The kitchen adopts a simplistic yet sophisticated palette, with soft greys, natural stones and black contrasts. Subtle references to the curves of the building have been embraced in the kitchens with a curved feature end to the island benches, ensuring fluid movement in and around the space. Both textural and contrasting elements emphasise the palette, creating a high end and timeless feel. Where possible, the interiors have been designed with Indirect and concealed lighting, which will help create a relaxed and beautiful home.
Renders by Binyan Studios
A series of seven homes nestled into the quiet and leafy suburb of Paddington, Emmeline draws on the local vernacular and materials of the area to create a development that fits comfortably within its heritage context, including revitalisation of a traditional cottage.
Sitting calmly within the bustling and diverse West Village, the new home for the professionals that are Skin Partners is a true reflection on their approach to their profession. The brief was not a typical allied health brief and started with some beautiful imagery of modern homes. With the client’s keen eye for aesthetics, the fitout was designed around the journey of the patients and of the professionals that use the spaces and brings together the sense of calm and the practicality of the spaces.
The tenancy is bathed in natural light by day and looks through an interesting façade and beyond to gardens and Boundary Street. With limited space and evergrowing needs balancing aesthetics and space, planning became a very detailed exercise with every millimetre utilised. We also carefully considered the privacy of patients balanced with sheer curtains to allow the light and connection to the gardens to shine.
Photography by Cieran Murphy
Located in the Valley Heart Precinct, 465 St Paul’s Terrace carefully curates a mix of uses, spaces and materials to create a strong and vibrant build-to-rent community.
The building’s façade is simple in its expression and materiality – responding to its urban surrounds with a solid, recycled red-brick façade that is punched through with large openings. This brick screen shields residents from the harshness of the two street frontages; while providing an assertive architecture to the streetscape. Each material, and its interaction with the site boundary is carefully considered to encourage activation; accommodating the functional requirements for vehicle access and building services without allowing them to dominate. The ground level landscaping works to soften and complement the built form by using various tones, textures and heights.
With only 37 one- and two-bedroom apartments, the development follows a build-to-rent delivery-model that places a high importance on lifecycle costs, longevity of materials and overall good design outcomes.
Situated in Everton Park, GO2 Health brings together Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Acupuncturists, Psychologists, GPs, Pathologists and other specialists - all under one roof. The team’s enthusiasm for the high level of care on offer is evident in all that they do; so we made sure that their new space would reflect and enable this further. We worked very closely with the client in the early stages of space planning to ensure the space flowed properly for both staff and patients. The space includes calm lounge spaces and ‘hydrate stations’ that allow patients to relax and chat before their appointments.
Visitors also have access to a flexible community room which enables various educational and support activities. Staff are also not forgotten in the new spaces - with a generous break-out room that can be combined with the community room if a larger space is needed. The colour and material palette reflects a homely, fresh feel, so that spaces are warm and inviting to all; and reflect GO2 Health’s approach to wellness.
Photography by Katherine O'Malley
The design challenge – to create a new home for the B+W team of engineers – called us to explore and deliver on their expectations while making big changes to their way of working. Leading the way, the directors needed us to create a space for collaboration, transparency and open discussion.
In essence the spaces are all about conversation – breaking down all barriers to encourage new connections. The fabric of the building (structurally designed decades ago by the B+W team) has been opened up to act as the conversation starter with new clients. The columns have been revealed, the concrete slab exposed and the original structural soffit was made into a design feature. The fitout exposes the way the building was put together; acting as a reference to the company’s work, as well as adding visual interest to the spaces.
The space also needed to act as a home – for the business, for colleagues to get together, for clients, business connections and so on. The expressed industrial finishes of concrete, glass and steel have been balanced with luxurious soft furnishings and curtains to create a calm and welcoming environment. As a consequence, adjacent collaboration spaces are abuzz with meetings, coffees and lunches. As there was little built form to contend with, the large open breakout spaces have also allowed for staff gatherings to continue whilst still respecting social distancing requirements.
Watch as Tanya talks about our design journey with B+W here.
Photography by Mindi Cooke
Working alongside the Miele Architectural team in Germany, both the Perth and Adelaide Experience Centres were major refurbishment projects of existing fitouts. The joinery and finishes palette were designed to highlight the appliances, and lighting was carefully considered to enhance the visitors’ experience.
The spaces were designed to be free-flowing and flexible – allowing shoppers to see the different areas from various vantage points. A demonstration area is central to the design; where users have the opportunity to see the appliances in action for the creation of a full three-course dining experience.
Both spaces were pared back and carefully considered to organise how the display may change over time. Finishes were detailed to allow easy transition to new displays; with a focus on reducing landfill and disruption to the staff and users.
Photographed by David Sievers Photography
Located between two streets - Simpsons Road and Rosewood Street, Holm makes the most of the steep site to provide amenable, self-contained residences with views down into the valley.
The townhouses vary between 3 and 4 bedrooms, and all have North-facing living spaces and balconies to take advantage of the site’s favourable aspect. The Simpsons Rd frontage comprises six townhouses; however, they present as three residential-scale homes complete with face brick fencing, articulated awnings and screens. In contrast, the townhouses fronting Rosewood Street follow a similar character to other residences in the street – recessed into to the side of the hill, they have front entries at the Rosewood St Level, and access their backyards from the first level above ground.
Photography by Cam Murchison
Renders by Binyan Studios
Relocating within the same building to one-and-a-half floors immediately presented the challenge of delivering something quite unlike what they had before. With a focus on user comfort and wellness, the new space has an abundance of greenery and alternative work and meeting spaces.
Connection between teams was also a change for the users; with many moving to an open plan for the first time. This increased visibility and collaboration within the office. With a mixture of offices and open plan spaces, we introduced private phone booths, lounges and collaboration spaces which provides more choice to the users. Staff have an abundance of space and separation between teams where needed thanks to careful planning early on in the design.
The café is the central meeting spot of the office – allowing all staff to come together in one lunch area to share, collaborate and contribute to the office culture. The outcome has created a new union between staff, and assisted in building on their identity while reinforcing their professional nature.
Photography by Katherine O'Malley
One of the most challenging briefs is to design for an ever-changing workforce, which will peak and decline in varying stages over the term of the lease. That was exactly what ARTC requested as Inland Rail are delivering thirteen rail projects across Australia over the next seven years. It was very rewarding to work with them and watch their staff move from a cramped and unworkable space to a custom-designed, 95% agile environment with a variety of flexible working environments.
Working within a Green star building, and with high servicing and density requirements, the layout needed to support collaborative, agile working. This was achieved by designing various different types of workspaces such as phone booths, quiet rooms and casual chat areas – as well as more conventional office desk areas including standing areas.
We were involved heavily with the team managers during the design phase, which has helped to enable a successful transition to the new space, and has encouraged new connections to form naturally within teams since the project’s completion. The company values are deeply embedded within the space and their sense of community informed the layout and the new way of working. The palettes throughout reference the many remote communities, the earth that they touch and the robust materials of rail within a Queensland context.
Photography by Mindi Cooke Photography
The Ronald McDonald House charity provides a home away from home for seriously ill children and their families. In South Brisbane they have built a 10-storey complex adjacent the Mater Children’s Hospital, which is slowly being fitted out floor by floor as they get funding. Ellivo was commissioned to design the fitout for Level 9, which was destined to become a home for the families that need to stay longer.
The project consists of nine accommodation rooms – some with interconnecting doors to house larger families – as well as communal kitchen facilities and a dining area, a large fenced play area, and a private function room which can be booked for family functions.
The project received funding from various charities and fundraising efforts – among them, the annual Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation bike ride contributed a large amount. Two of the riders and fundraisers for this were Ellivians Mason and Jen, who rode 1000 km from Sydney to Brisbane in 2017.
Photographed by Mindi Cooke
The new Caesarstone showroom sits next to the state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Yatala; and is designed for prospective clients to appreciate the look and feel of the Caesarstone product. With the changing light of day, and during the night, the space functions as a retail and event space. The focus is always on the product, and the quality of the light is all-important for showing the true colours and textures of the stone. Users can touch and feel large pieces of stone, collect samples and view slabs in the warehouse. The space also utilises touch-screen technology to allow clients to visualise the stone in their own projects.
The project was designed to be as flexible as possible, to enable Caesarstone to change their stone panels whenever they wanted to showcase new products. For this reason, the palette is crisp and simple – making the stone the hero of the spaces. The various Caesarstone finishes flow through into boardrooms, amenities & staff areas to reinforce the pride that the Caesarstone team have for their brand.
Photos by Rix Ryan Photography
Situated on the second floor of the One50 Public House in Bundall, the new gaming and cocktail lounge offers patrons a sophisticated evening venue with views of the Gold Coast skyline. The client wanted to improve the experience of their gaming lounge and expand their entertainment options, so the existing gaming lounge was relocated to the upper level, and accompanied by a new cocktail lounge, private dining room and a bar and kitchen to service the new spaces.
Designed to cater for various events and audiences, the lounge offers various spaces that each have a different feel. Finely-detailed joinery elements divide the gaming and cocktail lounges; while each area has a variation on the fitout’s overall approach to lighting and finishes to create distinct spaces within the larger floor plan. The cocktail lounge is complete with luxurious, plush velvet seating and dimmed lighting, inviting guests to relax and enjoy the quiet intimacy. The gaming area on the other side makes use of timber batten screens, dark coloured materials and full-height timber joinery to create smaller, quiet zones among the bright flashing lights.
Supporting both these spaces is the bar – the heart of the venue. The materiality and lighting here is distinct, warm and reflective with a copper counter top, timber batten detailing and shimmering splashback tiles.
The Whistle Dixie sits on the ground floor of Aurizon’s sleek 15-storey office building in the Fortitude Valley. In a playful nod to the building’s main occupant – Australia’s largest rail freight operator – we used trains as our departure point for inspiration. The main counter represents derailed carriages with train tracks hung above, a light box portraying the ‘X’ train stop sign is seen in the front window, and the floors feature recycled timber sleepers that have been recessed into the concrete. These touches are mixed with luxurious, high-quality finishes that help to create a space that can cater for patrons seamlessly from the early morning to the late evening.
The client wanted the space to be flexible in how it could be used through the day – they needed it to be light and open during the morning when the venue was a café, while also being a warm and intimate venue come nightfall. We achieved this with large, mobile, curved velvet lounges under high-level planting, subtle leather and brass touches, and full-length curtains that allow users to create smaller function spaces when needed.
The name ‘Whistle Dixie’ came from a Clint Eastwood movie, which injected some fun into the fitout - not just in name but also in touches throughout all the branding. This was a true reflection of the clients’ attitude, which we were able to highlight as we took them on an identity & branding journey. It was extremely important that the venue’s interior design and the Whistle Dixie brand worked seamlessly together. We worked closely with the client to create the logos, graphics, signage & stationery, which has given the restaurant a truly unique identity.
Photography by Mindi Cooke
The refurbishment of the Master Builders Queensland offices was a big step for the board, and a huge commitment to change. From the start, we were aware of the association’s heritage, and its importance to the building community.
We went on a journey with the Master Builders team where we explored who they were, how they wanted to be presented to the general community, and what mattered the most to them. This helped to identify the essence of the project for us – the few key things that needed to hold true through the whole fitout. These qualities included the following: heritage, craftsmanship, high- quality of workmanship, functionality, connection, and modesty.
This exploration led us to look at the history of Queensland builders – their craft, and the materials they work with. We created subtle touches through the fitout showcasing traditional materials in their raw form, to remind visitors of the origins of Master Builders. These little details helped to identify different spaces as you move through the building and help to create the sense of a journey – you go from timber through copper, steel and brass details as you get further into the building.
Another key concern that came out in early workshops with the clients was the connectivity between different teams in the office. The old layout consisted a segmented cluster of small rooms, which meant that space was being used inefficiently, and many of the staff felt disconnected from the rest of the office and from the members. We were able to combine spaces and win enough previously-wasted area to allow for centralised break-out spaces, small team meeting rooms and spaces for people to congregate casually away from their work desks. Most of the lower ground floor was repurposed as a refreshing lunch area with the feeling of an outdoor café, complete with extensive end-of-trip facilities.
Photography by Mindi Cooke
This is the first experience store of its size in Australia which commanded attention from all stakeholders from Australia to Germany. Miele wanted to envelope their brand in an interior space that complimented the fabric of the building and this is where Ellivo came in.
The existing shell was challenging and exciting and made for a complex design. With such a refined brand and strong graphics we decided to use the angles, voids and existing concrete fabric to act as the stage for the experiences. The customer journey was carefully planned out amongst the architectural elements to create a space that can adapt with product developments into the future.
The building’s form seeks to be bold, minimalistic and timeless – designed to be efficient for both buildability and capacity.
Natural light and landscape is incorporated without comprising floor yield, to ensure a sense of calmness and tranquillity, supportive of the building’s Medical purpose. The building’s open corner addresses the main entry, with well-shaded balconies wrapping the upper floor, allowing for a private retreat for workers without disconnection from the ground plane. Double height atriums open both to sky and planters below seeking to breathe life into the building – trees are able to grow through atrium voids which are decorated with seating plinths at ground level.
The chosen material palette draws inspiration from the surrounding industrial context. It plays with a juxtaposition of textures through raw materials such as brick, concrete, steel and plywood.
We owe the success of the project to the strong support of our open-minded client and supportive builder, who worked with us seamlessly throughout the project to ensure the quality and vision of the project was upheld.
Photography by Scott Burrows
Our brief was therefore twofold, create a sleek commercial podium, and a multi-residential upper that responds to the transitionary nature of the site.
We drew upon early 20th century modernism as inspiration for the simple yet bold forms of the façade. Bands of concrete frame the showroom, which is softened by a double height curved glass façade that is grounded by a garden. The curved glass wall draws residents & visitors into the entry, giving back space and volume to the street and giving a sense of openness to the street.
A simple material pallet of concrete, glass, steel, metal cladding & vegetation create a balance between a commercial aesthetic podium and a human scale level of detail for the residential component above.
We used subtropical design fundamentals including vegetation, flow through ventilation, natural light & solar control to make sure we created a high-quality living environment for the residents & commercial tenants. This includes a communal recreation space on the roof with a pool and steam room to offer a meeting place for residents.
Photography by Scott Burrows
Being designers we were excited by the prospect of testing our approach to the end user by starting with our staff and clients and personifying their needs and mapping out their possible journey with us. We soon realised that our clients and staff were all very different and this led us to create spaces that could adapt.
We created private spaces where meetings can be confidential, small meeting spaces and public spaces where people can connect. We wrapped all of these in a series of movable curtains that change the privacy and use of the spaces. We can cocoon spaces and make them private, we can adjust lighting and become more of an entertaining space. The uses are varied and practical to take us through the next five or ten years that we may be here.
This is a very young and vibrant business, bursting with enthusiasm that we were very excited by the first time we listened to their vision for their move to much larger premises. Taking over a largely existing floor we had a modest budget with which to create their dream – the arrival to a law firm that was to be very AJ & Co.
From the lift doors opening on level 18 of Waterfront Place the foyer opens up through their arrival area to river and city views. There is no reception welcome, just a welcoming space, iPad sign in and then onto the lounge. Complete with bar and spaces to meet and relax, the space is to be shared and enjoyed.
Photography by Mindi Cooke
Nero Apartments offers a high-quality living environment within the rapidly evolving Newstead neighbourhood. Located within close proximity to the newly developed and growing Gasometer retail precinct, the development benefits from an abundance of recreation and amenity options for its residents. Positioned amongst a multitude of high-density apartment buildings, Nero seeks to stand out from the crowd and strives to offer something a little different. Residents are offered concierge type facilities to welcome them home, as well as apartment technologies more akin to hotel accommodation.
Nero, meaning black in Italian, inspires the dark personality of the building’s overall expression and resulting material palette. The external form of the building creates a homogeneous façade that conceals the apartment balconies behind it. This is a direct response to the due west orientation of the apartments, balancing solar protection without limiting access to light and views.
Clad in black tile, aluminium cladding and screening, the development has a sleek and timeless appearance. The folded gold screening to the lower podium levels has many roles; it provides solar protection towards the west while folding open towards the north, it provides privacy up to the balustrade height, creates foreground interest where there are no views, and forms a sculptural contribution to the streetscape.
Photography by Scott Burrows
Their desire to demonstrate integrity and openness is embedded within their new home. From the moment you step inside the front door the client area is open and has views to Newstead beyond and the newly refurbished historical Gasometer. The combination of smoky glass, polished concrete, concrete, plywood and leather provides comfort and texture in the detailing and a most warm welcome.
Rainbow Bay is an evolving beachfront boulevard of Coolangatta. We partnered with our long-term client Aspect Property Group, to deliver a catalyst of exclusive living which reflects the unique assets of the site, in particular the direct proximity to Rainbow Bay beach. Our client sought to deliver to a niche of down-sizing owner-occupiers looking for a premium product. We focused on creating a timeless built form, minimising the amount of rendered surfaces was important in delivering a building that aims to look admirable long into the future.
Photographed by Andy MacPherson Studio
Arena is a collective response to the context of the people, the site, views, orientation and ground level activation. We partnered with Galileo, to deliver something unlike anything else is South Brisbane and its strong bold form makes a real statement in the vibrant South Brisbane community. The central courtyard defined by the expression of the podium form, is the heart of Arena and is host to active public gathering areas, and private retreat and refection nooks. The rotated podium and tower form takes advantage of the expansive view lines, allow views for neighbouring buildings and creates an urban courtyard that contributes to both the public and private amenity.
The site and client held three key criteria, design for flood immunity, design for ultimate privacy and design for openness and light. The contrasting requirements for achieving privacy in a light filled home formed the framework for the project. As each step up toward the house protects it from potential flood waters, the gardens that surround its entry step into the house. Our clients were our co-creators of this new home. Being retired empty nesters, this was a place not only for them to call home, but a retreat for their extended family and friends. With this in mind we focused on provided flexible living spaces, which could accommodate activated living and entertaining as well as private play and sleep out guest rooms.
Drawing inspiration from nearby natural attractions such as Mt Cootha, and taking cues from the values and attitudes of the local community of residents within The Gap, we partnered with Lantona group to create a unique development in the heart of The Gap with a focus on community and the natural surrounds.
Hive aims to create an idyllic lifestyle providing refuge and a sense of belonging as a retreat from the pressures of modern life. The homes seek to strike a balance between a sense of privacy and a sense of community, taking advantage of the leafy surrounds and native plant life.
The Providence Sales and Community Centre embodies the values of a vibrant new neighbourhood precinct located in the Ripley Valley. The Centre serves as a welcoming gateway, reflecting true community living while holding a strong connection to the landscape in which it is sited. Situated amongst vegetated nature reserves, the design seeks to connect and blur boundaries between the inside and outside, unlocking views across the adventure playground and mountain ranges beyond and balancing the requirement of an open accessible ‘pavilion’, while engaging with the landscape. The design is accessible, welcoming and familiar and enhances the existing features of the site for all visitors to share and enjoy.
Fortitude Valley is located on the fringe of Brisbane’s CBD and showcases a mixture of heritage brick buildings, art and nightlife. Fortitude Café embraces the ‘Valley’ vibe with pops of neon, colour and memorable graphics which pay tribute to the locality and history of the area. The café sits on the ground floor of a large office building, and is directly accessible to office workers, passing pedestrians, construction workers and nearby residents. We took our clients on an identity and branding journey, working in partnership to create the logos, graphics and stationery, which has given Fortitude Café a truly unique identity.
The fitout is light filled and open-aired, balancing a refined yet edgy personality. Featuring pops of pink neon lettering (‘The F. Word’) - sitting above a pink velvet banquette in the lounge, hand glazed emerald green tiles, distinctive Patricia Urquiola triangle breeze blocks, herringbone terracotta tiles, the design emphasises our client’s passion for their work and has created a distinctive living and dining area.
We were was tasked with designing a flexible yet welcoming and engaging venue that would accommodate breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as casual cocktails and privately hosted events. In such a pedestrian-oriented area, it was necessary for the design to draw people in to compete in an already bustling area. The fit-out includes approximately 400sqm of interior space as well as a small exterior seating area. Inside, the designers created a dazzling new bar and lounge, full-service dining area, private event space, back of house kitchen, and all required amenities. The interiors aim to create an engaging and non-pretentious venue to enjoy the modern Australian cuisine and unique cocktails while also encouraging visitors to admire and enjoy their surroundings, creating a truly unique and dynamic dining experience.
Lorna Jane sought our guidance to update, professionalise and re-energise their brand through a number of fitouts Austalia wide.
Ellivo Architects carried the concept ideas through to construction to achieve a unique fitout which represented the “Active Living” ethos of the Lorna Jane
brand.
Aerocare have a proud history in Australia and New Zealand as a leading independent ground handling company. They were keen for their surroundings to demonstrate to others what they do and their enthusiasm. It was critical to us to include their sense of fun and let this fitout become part of the brand. Together we took a creative approach to work spaces in conjunction with them and the developer (landlord).
Harnessing the concrete and blockwork surrounds, the natural light and their strong aeronautical links, this inspired the selections, colours and elements within. Passion and energy was delivered through installations, graffiti mural and the ‘escape’slide which connects the two levels and defines in the built form who they are.
With steep tree-lined streets, colourfully renovated Queenslander houses, and boutique bars and restaurants, Rosalie is a compact, attractive pocket of Brisbane that is a well-kept secret of the locals. We were approached by the client to deliver an eye-catching office building for the under-stocked Rosalie Village Centre. Our response was to compliment the eccentric character of the Rosalie, providing workers and visitors with a unique commercial and cultural experience.
Petrie Terrace, wedged between the CBD, Milton and Paddington, is rapidly becoming a hot spot for after-work drinks, evening dining and weekend catch-ups from young professionals to inner-city workers. Growing tired of the existing ordinary hotel offerings, visitors seek a dynamic, elegant yet acquainted answer to their short-stay accommodation. We felt it only fitting to pay homage to the cultural background of Petrie Terrace. The articulated building form and selection of materials including white tiled archways and classic red brick, nod at Petrie Terrace’s industrial past and highlights the elegance of the surrounding heritage brick and stone buildings.
In this generous family home, we were able to celebrate our client’s connection with this eternal material but also making sure that the other needs of the family were catered for.
A simple crucifix form created four courtyards for different outdoor activities. In the centre of the cross is the kitchen-the “command centre” of the modern family unit. Everything radiates out from the kitchen hub to the more private spaces within the home. Kids have their own wing to run wild in, but are never too far from the kitchen for mum to keep an eye on things.
The four courtyards defined by the plan created different activity zones- a car court, pool zone, tennis court and a green space for the kids and dogs. The home flows out through a generous double height terrace that is the summertime focus for outdoor living. Like all our projects for individual clients, the real pleasure is seeing how the family makes the spaces their own and really engage with the architecture.
As the demand has grown, a wide range of developers have answered the call to house a diverse demographic into facilities near our educational hubs.
Our brief was to create a space that will balance function, utilise natural light, deliver the best out of their modest budget and provide a welcoming environment for staff and patients alike. The clinic sits on the second floor of a large office building and is easily accessible with onsite parking. As you enter through the ground level, there is the option to choose either the lift or use the entrance to the grand staircase that leads to two different receptions on to the floor plate which is over 1000m2. The fitout is light filled and open-aired, balancing a refined yet young personality. Featuring pops of colour to retain branding, feature timber panelling and wall dividers for warmth and directing clientele, and feature lighting in the stairwell and reception all create a more homely feel for staff and patients.
Newstead a suburb in transformation – converting from a warehouse district into a hip, inner city hub with no shortage of shopping, dining and nightlife options. With Brisbane CBD, New Farm’s James Street and Fortitude Valley just a short stroll away, the site is at the heart of the entertainment and lifestyle precinct. La Vida is an extension to this energetic community. Together with Bekaa group, we sought to deliver a sleek and contemporary expression of the suburb, providing residents with resort living amenities with a luxury touch with views to the edges of Brisbane. These large, open, spacious apartments are designed with luxury in mind while still being an entertainer’s dream.
Photographer: Scott Shirley
Rochedale is located within the middle ring of Brisbane and is known for its friendly community, rich farming history, relatively low density and abundant nature reserves. Its well connected locality has seen the suburb develop rapidly with new master planned estates. We partnered with Aveo Group to create a catalyst for a community’s wellness, fitness and connection. With resort style living a key component to the brief, it was hard not to have fun on this project. We studied the context, site opportunities and various building materials, to create a unique cultural feature of the area.
The Hyatt Coolum Visitor Centre for Lend Lease welcomes visitors with expansive walls of glass capturing views to Mount Coolum. The light filled open plan space caters for functions, openings and a permanent sales display with associated offices. Copper clad walls and an earthy patina to the subdued material and colour palette, settling the building into its golf course location. The floating roof is accentuated by effective lighting by night to give the appearance that the whole form floats lightly over the ponds beneath.
Vantage is located in the Royal Pines Gold Precinct known for its PGA Quality Golf Course and Carrara Stadium. Nestled between Southport and Nerang, residents enjoy the close proximity to major Gold Coast hot spots and major golf courses, while also having a peaceful buffer away from the hustle and bustle. Ellivo partnered with the Rayjon Property Group, to maximise the potential area’s nature assets and create a rich community for people to live in.
Photography by Andy Macpherson
Less than five kilometres from Brisbane CBD, Stones Corner is a well-connected inner south-eastern suburb of the city nestled between Greenslopes and Woolloongabba. With a strong history, this gazetted nook is growing as a cultural and lifestyle precinct. Being a major residential destination for Brisbane’s young professionals, Stones Corner residents seek a dynamic home which enhance the existing offerings of the area including its connections to Hanlon Park and Bikeway, and the active Stones Corner retail strip.
In Partnership with Lantona, the design of Oxy aims to be complementary to its context by using a material palette that is sympathetic to its surroundings, while providing a high level of private and social amenity. Materials such as weatherboard, timber palings and brickwork provide a sense of familiarly. The weatherboard façade pattern represents the roof form of the traditional Queensland Cottage – a nod to the historical vernacular.
Photographed by Andy MacPherson Studio
Jade is one of our most iconic and memorable projects. Everything about the project was exemplary. The vision for the project was to attract an international clientele who would be using these for permanent residences or for holidays. This understanding informed the project at every level, from the flow of the floor plan to the detailing of the understated but opulent finishes. The result is pure luxury but with genuinely Queensland sense of relaxed living.
Timeless architecture is difficult to achieve, but there is no doubt that this project still remains one of our most recognised and enduring projects.
As a gateway to South Brisbane’s laneway culture and a stone’s throw from the cultural hub of West End, the site on the corner of Fish Lane attracted residents that were searching for more than just a place to call home. We identified the need for an alternative design vernacular in contrast to the existing commercial provisions in the South Brisbane precinct. We placed a focus on connections with the outdoors, activation of the ground plane network of bustling cafes and bars, and providing visual connection to neighbouring precincts of West End and the CBD were essential components of their living criteria.
Designing for the specific characteristics of a place and its people is a mantra in our studio. Enclave at is a great example of how an understanding of these elements can make a great place. Our client recognised the limited offerings for medium density options in the Wynnum Manly area. Our brief was born out of the area, its residents and the characteristics that define bayside living. Three buildings offer three types of living, from townhomes to generous apartments. The key elements of the design are views, bay breezes, and a level of accommodation that appeals to owner occupiers. It also has to “fit“ in the local area. The materials and scale were driven by the desire to embrace and reflect the scale and feel of the neighbourhood. The central timber boardwalk reflects the nearby mangrove boardwalks. But the most important ingredient is to create the spaces that reinforce community. This is not a gated community, it provides security but contributes to the streetscape and provides great communal spaces for the owners.
What is the appropriate response when designing a contemporary family home in a sensitive and historical setting? Minimal and raw yet textured and welcoming, the Paddington Residence is an exploration of space and materials for a rigorously contemporary family home in a historical setting. Beyond simply satisfying the client’s spatial requirements, the design explores how to create layered spaces with edges that offer privacy and flexibility.
The challenge within this brief was to deliver their spatial requirements on a small 400 square metre site with heritage neighbours, a very steep slope and ensuring protection of the significant tree. The design response has been to imagine the home as a procession of 5 distinct spaces, each with their own function, transitioning from the historic Moreton Bay Fig Tree to the west and the views to the city to the east.
