Australian firm Koichi Takada Architects has completed a mixed-use apartment block on Queensland's Gold Coast featuring retractable slatted wooden screens and thin balconies that reference the form of a pinecone.
Located on Goodwin Terrace, a strip of coastline at the southern end of Burleigh Heads Beach, the 1,012-square-metre seafront site has been developed for property developer FORME.
Above: the block has undulating balconies. Top image: it sits on Burleigh Heads Beach. Photo is by Paul Bamford
The heritage-listed Norfolk pine trees surrounding its site gave the project its name, Norfolk, as well as informing the design approach taken by Surrey Hills-based Koichi Takada Architects.
Across 10 storeys, Norfolk houses 15 apartments, two penthouses with rooftop pools and a ground floor of wellbeing spaces including a gym, pool and sauna. The building's shape was informed by pinecones. Photo is by Cieran Murphy
"Norfolk's sculptural facade references the inner workings of the Norfolk pines, a natural icon in the Gold Coast region," explained the practice.
"Just like their pinecones protect its seeds from bad weather and open when in ideal natural settings, Norfolk's architecture can be adapted to protect residents from the elements or opened up to take in the 300 days of subtropical sunshine and stunning natural surroundings."
Slatted wooden screens can be moved for shade
The concept of "protection" is expressed both by the building's curved ba...