ellivo (Places to Live & Stay)

Inspired by the endemic forest landscape of the area, this social and affordable housing project seeks to nestle seamlessly into its surroundings, drawing the landscape within. Positioned on the pristine Lake Kawana edge, careful consideration has been made to maximise the connection of all apartments and communal spaces to the natural environment and the desirable solar orientation. Diverse communal gathering spaces are created in a shaded undercroft space that connects to the lake’s edge, and doubles to conceal the podium car parking.

The facade design acts to capture breezes, maintain privacy for residents and capitalise on the vistas to the lake and surrounds.

All apartments have been designed with passive cooling and lighting, minimum gold level LHA standards, and careful privacy and security consideration to create a comfortable and efficient living environment for the users.

Our research into Petrie Terrace visitors were growing tired of the existing ordinary hotel offerings, and were seeking a dynamic, elegant yet acquainted answer to their short-stay accommodation. 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.

The tight and sloping inner CBD site of Hotel LA came with its challenges.

The comfort and privacy for Hotel LA guests was extremely important to us. To overcome any privacy issues due to the neighbouring commercial building, we introduced of a green trellis running the full height of the northern façade. This created privacy for the hotel rooms and provided a pleasant backdrop for the onlookers of the neighbouring building.

Rather than treating the sales display as a standalone destination, we approached the project as a layered sequence of experiences. Each space was designed to build upon the last, creating a natural progression from welcome, to storytelling, to engagement.

A soft and calming material palette, paired with a meticulous attention to detail, helps create a sense of flow throughout the environment. Carefully considered transitions, refined finishes and integrated design elements ensure every moment feels effortless and connected.

At the heart of the project sits the Sierra Entry Gallery, designed with longevity and adaptability in mind. A timeless layout and restrained palette provide a lasting foundation, allowing the back-of-house sales experience to evolve and be refreshed as new developments are brought to market.

Every detail was thoughtfully crafted, from stone inlays that subtly define zones and experiences, to integrated signage and display opportunities woven throughout the space. The result is a highly considered environment that balances permanence and flexibility, creating a memorable destination that can continue to evolve with the Sierra story.

Set on a prominent elevated corner site, Victoria Residences draws its inspiration from the character and history of its surrounding neighbourhood. Shaped by its connection to local heritage, the civic presence of nearby landmarks, and the expansive landscape of Victoria Park, the development presents a considered architectural response that is both timeless and distinctly rooted in place. Carefully selected materials, including enduring brickwork, bespoke metal detailing, and textured screening elements, have been chosen not only for their visual richness, but for their ability to weather gracefully and retain their quality for decades to come.

At its heart, the project is designed around the everyday experience of home. The building embraces its landscaped edges through a series of articulated forms and deep recesses that soften the architecture and strengthen the connection between residents and nature. Generous balconies are carefully shaped to create private outdoor retreats, framed by greenery and protected through layered screening. Trees are woven into the architectural expression, creating a natural buffer between homes and the surrounding urban environment while allowing light, outlook, and ventilation to permeate every residence.

Now on site, a 188 apartment master planned community that shapes the next chapter of the evolving suburb, Rochedale. Defined by earthy tones and restrained detailing, the project establishes a residential precinct that is centred on connection, amenity and livability.

A generous communal area forms the shared 'backyard' for residents and is supported by wellness‑focused amenities of landscaped gardens, a 20m resort‑style pool, gym, sauna and spa, multipurpose lawn, barbecue areas and sheltered pavilions. A ground‑level clubhouse also offers flexible work‑from‑home spaces and social areas.

This multi-staged project consists of five buildings and cultivates a generous, people‑focused environment that reinforces a strong and lasting sense of community.

This contemporary seniors’ rental living development is situated within the well-connected and established neighbourhood of Southport, offering residents direct access to public transport, health services, retail amenity and open space. The architectural response creates a welcoming vertical community expressed through a considered building form that balances articulated façades, generous landscaping and a relaxed subtropical character.

Apartments have been purposefully designed to meet the needs of seniors, prioritising comfort, accessibility, natural light and ventilation. Passive design principles, generous private balconies, and clear separation between private and shared spaces combine to create environments that are both functional and enjoyable, while ensuring privacy, safety and long-term ease of living. Communal spaces at both ground level and rooftop are central to the life of the building, providing residents with a range of opportunities to connect, socialise and participate in everyday activities. These spaces are complemented by quieter retreat areas that allow residents to enjoy moments of reflection within landscaped surroundings that extend the domestic experience beyond the individual apartment.

As a develop, own and operate model, the design places strong emphasis on durability, life-cycle performance and adaptability over time. High-quality, low-maintenance materials, robust detailing and timeless architectural principles underpin an outcome that supports long-term operational efficiency while delivering enduring value, amenity and a strong sense of place for residents.

Comprising 82 thoughtfully crafted homes across studio, one- and two-bedroom typologies, the Cleveland Street project by BHC brings a new depth of community to Stones Corner. Anchored by a strong social mission, the architecture balances clean, refined lines with enduring, earthy materials, including concrete, warm brick, and timber tones, offering both resilience and humanity.

Set within a 10-storey form, the design speaks subtly to its urban precinct, while generous operable windows, natural cross-ventilation, and rich greenery soften the form and connect residents to the sky and street. Vertical articulation and subtle setbacks foster a sense of calm scale, even at height.

Deep balconies and communal retreats, including an open-air rooftop terrace, weave social interaction and quiet refuge into daily life. With low-maintenance finishes, sustainable systems (including rainwater harvesting and solar power), and a 7+ star NatHERS performance target, the building is rooted in long-term stewardship.

All homes meet Gold Livable Housing standards, and one achieves Platinum level, a testament to the commitment to dignity and adaptability.

In this way, ARQ at Cleveland is more than just a building: it is a resilient, uplifting community-building expression of affordable housing that endures, fosters belonging, and reflects the spirit of Stones Corner.

The ultimate in beachfront living, Pipis at Bilinga is an exclusive collection of 17 half floor residences and two double story penthouses with uninterrupted coastal views.

Drawing inspiration from the sculptured dunes that frame the idyllic coastal setting, Pipis is series of horizontally stacked forms, broken up by green breaks and floor to ceiling glazing, creating articulated and light dappled internal spaces. The masterfully designed interiors create light filled liveable spaces that capture cooling ocean breezes. Spacious and functional, each apartment features high quality fixtures, state of the art appliances and stone benchtops throughout.

A refined coastal palette of understated yet elegant finishes highlight bespoke details and embodies the timeless essence of beachfront luxury.

Pipis delivers high-end in-house lifestyle amenities; including a 15m heated lap pool and sun lounge deck, fully equipped gymnasium and outdoor rain shower with dog wash to rinse off the sand. Offering direct back entry access to the beach and ocean bike pathway, residents can enjoy the most the Gold Coast has to offer.

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.

The completion of View marks a significant milestone for the Vantage collection at Benowa. As the largest tower in the precinct, View adds 120 new apartments and brings the total to 328 across 5 buildings. Much like the other buildings in the collection View epitomises the ultimate in contemporary living, offering both comfort and convenience in an exceptional urban setting.

Set amongst lush gardens and resort style amenities, Vantage has become a true hub for locals - a place that balances lifestyle, community, and connection. It's been a privilege to see this master planned precinct come to life and to have played a major role in the delivery of this development.

The latest addition to Woody Point’s shoreline. Inspired by the natural curves of the coastline, the architecture embraces soft, flowing forms, with curved balconies and batten screens that echo the rhythm of the waves. Inside, a refined palette yet relaxed palette seamlessly connects to the coastal surrounds. Thoughtfully designed interiors prioritise functionality without compromising on luxury, offering spacious kitchens, abundant storage, and warm finishes.

Introducing Corner House Residences, delivered in collaboration with De Martini Fletcher. Featuring 88 residential apartments located in a dynamic lifestyle precinct, Corner House offers unrivalled convenience, just a stone throw away from the best Brisbane has on offer. The design is deeply connected to the area’s vernacular, drawing inspiration from its rich history as a commercial hub.

The building responds to both context and climate, integrating wrap-around balconies, passive design strategies, and a refined material palette that balances robustness with warmth. Expansive apartment layouts prioritise spatial quality, natural light, and ventilation, with flexible configurations that enhance liveability.

At street level, the ground plane is an extension of the urban surrounds, fostering activation and engagement with the public realm. Above, a rooftop retreat delivers resort-level amenities, seamlessly woven into a landscape that frames panoramic city views. Corner House is both a reflection of its place and an evolution of apartment living in Brisbane’s inner south.

Working alongside Traders in Purple to deliver another iconic address in the Moreton Bay Region, Tydal emerges as a key landmark in the revitalization of this charming village. Proudly elevated on the highest point of the Woody Point Peninsula, Tydal promises a lifestyle that embraces the ocean and vast panoramic coastal views.

Tydal delivers uncompromising luxury with a collection of beautifully crafted 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, many with breathtaking water views. The architectural language is derived from the naturally occurring forms of the surrounding bays articulated by feature vertical battens. The finishes palette is a collection of soft tones and natural materials, creating a humble yet elegant space.

Interior spaces are well considered so residents can effortlessly transition from the stylish interiors to the expansive balconies that frame calming water views towards Moreton Bay. Resort like amenities offer poolside lounging, alfresco dining around the BBQ, even a dog wash for pooches after a morning stroll along the beach.

Visuals by Near Visual

Located along Swann Road on a dual-frontage site, Florian Residences makes the most of its steep terrain, creating 16 luxurious apartments and a generous communal rooftop area.

The building has a timeless, robust expression of feature brick and articulated glazing which is softened with lush sub-tropical landscaping and the gentle curves of deep balcony recesses. Fine-grain operable screening elements and balustrades bring a human scale articulation to the design and give the residents control of their preferred levels of privacy, street interaction, and natural cooling.

Visuals: Nord Studio

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.

Photography by Scott Burrows

3D Artist Impressions by  Render House Studios

The Quarter at Wodonga integrates a mix of commercial, retail, dining and exclusive residential living units. A place to work, the Quarter offers light-filled contemporary office spaces in a high visibility, premium location right in the heart of town. As place to live, life at the Quarter embraces spacious indoor and outdoor living that brings people together combined with a range of uses and facilities that takes advantage of the location and the broader community.

A collection of 56 north facing apartments that have been designed to take advantage of the northern aspect and lush landscaping and communal facilities.  Spacious, light filled apartments are coupled with careful attention to views and outdoor spaces that combine to provide a unique and diverse living experience.

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

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 Photography by Cam Murchison & Hutchinson Builders

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.

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.

Photographed by Cieran Muprhy

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

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

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.

The second stage of The Village Yeronga builds upon the established success of the village, refining the design to further enrich a community-focused independent living environment for its residents. Set within the leafy and tranquil suburb of Yeronga, the development embraces its unique parkland setting to foster a lifestyle defined by connection, comfort and quiet enjoyment. The Village Yeronga offers residents a rare balance of calm retreat and urban accessibility. Just five kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, the village is ideally positioned to provide convenient access to health services, shopping precincts and cultural amenities, while remaining deeply connected to the relaxed, green character that defines Yeronga.

The apartments and penthouses have been architecturally designed to support independent living while offering flexibility for residents’ changing needs over time. Light-filled interiors, considered layouts and seamless connections to outdoor spaces enhance daily living, while passive design principles and durable, low-maintenance materials contribute to long-term comfort and operational efficiency.

Communal spaces throughout the village are central to daily life, encouraging social interaction, wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging. Together, these elements ensure The Village Yeronga remains a place where residents can continue to live confidently, independently and with dignity, supported by a resilient and thoughtfully designed community.

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

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.