Banksia

The site provided a unique opportunity for a luxury style building due to the southern side of the site facing the water, the northern side adjoining a future park and wide set backs to neighbouring east and west buildings. The combination of these factors allowed for these apartments to have spectacular never to be built out views. It was essential that any proposed design adequately addressed this. MAB wanted to celebrate this spectacular location with an architectural design that was equally special. Something that would become a centerpiece of the NewQuay precinct and an architectural landmark.

MCR’s circular footprint was the perfect solution. The circular design not only maximises the natural light entering each apartment but also allows for each apartment to have a view due to the entire outer edge of each level consisting of generous wraparound balconies. The floorplans within Banksia are rotated 45 degrees within the eliptical floorplate. Not only did the design fulfil MAB's brief to provide views, but the design itself is a work of art. The building’s exterior takes its inspiration from its namesake, the banksia seed pod, which gives Banksia its circular shape.

The anticipation for Banksia’s completion was unprecedented at MAB, with many a blog, forum and amateur photographer documenting the construction process online. After years of high rise developments having curtain glazed facades, the Banksia design was unique in the marketplace. The building’s sculptural façade was achieved using fiberglass, a nod to the yachts moored in the habour Banksia overlooks. Banksia’s interiors also differed from what was currently offered in the off-the-plan apartment market at the time. This included larger than average apartment sizes and a selection of four unique colour schemes, rather than the standard offering of light and dark.

Circles and organic shapes can be found throughout the building from the lobby, to the communal kitchen, sunken lounge and plunge pools. The level 18 Banksia Club communal rooftop on the building’s south side, utilises floor to ceiling glass and strategically placed seating to provide enviable views across Victoria harbour and to the city. MCR’s signature use of colour is on full display here with a fuschia kitchen and lime green sunken lounge. Outside, blues and turquoise greens line the plunge pools and infinity pond providing a tranquil setting to enjoy unrivalled views of the city and Victoria Harbour. Marking the entrance to Bankisa is Robert Bridgewater’s latest art installation, Beaded Samphire. The specially curated piece continues the Australian flora theme, with pillars modelled on a local indigenous plant know as Beaded Samphire or Beaded Glasswort which can be found just a few hundred metres from Banksia along the banks of Moonee Ponds Creek. These elongated pillars on the ground create an almost mirror image to the peaks of the crown that grace the building’s rooftop.