Kwong Apartments, North Fremantle

Context

The proposed development aligns with the City of Fremantle’s vision for the Northbank sub‐area. The site is located within a R60 residential / Commercial zone.

The building entry is located on a quiet street facing residential homes. Entry to the building is cued by a generous double volume entry. Walkways and driveways leading to lift access to the apartments are easily identifiable through finishes and lighting. Externally, the building is easily understood with clear distinction between private and publicly accessible spaces by way of architectural elements such as wall finishes, screens, doorways and landscaped boundaries.

The proposed design is in keeping with both the zoning and R‐Code requirements for the area and compliments not only the surrounding built fabric in massing and scale, but also in the selection of building materiality. Being an infill development, both side setbacks are nil. The front and rear building setback line is in keeping with the adjacent properties.

Description

The development is consistent in the preferred land use of the Northbank sub‐area to provide residential dwellings. The choice of dwellings include 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms NDIS participant apartments, and an additional 1No. Carers office/overnight quarters.

Being an NDIS building, the design of all spaces proposed satisfies the requirements of their intended purpose and care level. Each layout has been assessed and certified by an SDA consultant.
The proposed finishes and colours have been influenced from the both the Fremantle locale as well as adjacent buildings to the South. Service areas, such as bin stores, bike stores etc, are discretely located (at grade) carpark which does not detract from the streetscape appearance, functionality and serviceability of the building.

Several passive and active sustainable strategies have been incorporated into the proposed development. This will meet and exceed the requirements set in the NCC. With several on structure planters as well as DSA located adjacent to the building entry, plant species have been selected to be both tolerant of the immediate climatic conditions as well as integrate and add interest to the building façade. Waterwise species also minimise maintenance, water and ensure a thriving landscape.