The Waterside Apartments are the first stage of a new residential precinct on the western shores of Lake Ginninderra within the Belconnen Town Centre. The design is distinctively modern with clean lines achieving a special identity and sense of place. The 60 unit residential / retail project optimises density while providing an elevated landscaped garden court as the focus and main address point for the residential component of the development.

The garden is designed as an extension of the lakefront Casuarina Park and forms the forecourt to the project, providing most residences with a landscaped vista to the lake. Private courtyards are located around the circumference of the central garden court and provide mediation to the height of the buildings. Commercial space opens onto a street level piazza, designed to capture sunshine and provide an attractive space for alfresco dining on Beissel Street. The result is a development in Belconnen which offers a convenient urban lifestyle.

The design of Waterside responds to a difficult site by providing an innovative urban planning solution. The site is bounded by three roads and the Swim Australia building to the north. It also has a steep cross fall and busy traffic on Emu Bank and Luxton Streets. The project achieves an active retail frontage as well as a private and quiet resident’s garden plaza forming the heart of the development.

Waterside provides a high level of on-site amenity to residents. The central landscaped garden court provides a common link and entry plaza to all apartments and provides a visually attractive and usable recreation area which encourages interaction between residents and promotes access to the commercial and retail shopfronts. The majority of apartments have lake views, northern living spaces and are designed to optimize natural cross ventilation. Articulated balconies shade these areas during summer and provide useable private outdoor spaces. External materials are restrained and robust, comprising charcoal stained ‘ecoply’, metallic ‘miniorb’, split faced blockwork and natural timber. They form a textural composition that clearly articulates the building form and distinguishes the different apartment types. Each of the 60 apartments achieve a 5 star energy rating.

Waterside Apartments offer an exciting and innovative approach to contemporary urban living and they make an important contribution to the new western shores residential precinct.

ACT and National MBA & CBUS Excellence in Building Awards People’s Choice Award

George A Katheklakis