Manila back streets

From the depths of Manila back streets, rises a tower, searching for the sky.

To understand the context of our development in Ermita, Metro Manila, we explored the city back streets, giving us a feel for the area, it’s people, the traffic and the distinct smell of the wet season. This photomontage, shows the northern elevation of our proposed 40 level mixed-use, residential tower. The top 15 levels of the tower afford panoramic views of Manila Bay to the west, famous for it’s stunning evening sunsets over the water.

I like this photograph because it shows the fine and gritty grain of old Manila. The traffic, the variety of buildings, pot plants on the road, electrical wires everywhere, people, motorbikes, Jeepnees and the looming prospect of rain. I particularly like it, because it tells a story. Maurice (To the bottom left of the picture), my business partner and friend, was our photographer, taking hundreds of magnificent pictures for a potential photomontage extravaganza. Unfortunately, when our photographer got back to Sydney, he realised he had lost his camera at the airport, the photos and camera, never to be seen again. This photo, Maurice’s only lasting memory of his beloved camera….. Luckily we had a few shots left on my phone.

Bruce Master Plan Stage 2

The distinctive bush setting for TP Dynamics Bruce Masterplan Stage 2 is a sublime backdrop for the quality design of 90 townhouses, 30 sky terraces and 5,000m2 of commercial office space. Here you can eat, live, work … all within a few minutes stroll of each other.

A vibrant dining and entertainment promenade with 3,000m2 of retail space (including potential for a convenience supermarket) faces out, welcoming Canberrans from all areas. Shielded from the bustle of the main promenade, a village precinct features an abundance of landscaped communal areas where you can walk your dog, enjoy a barbecue with friends, chill with yoga or meditation, or just relax and read a book.

Key design principles

The promenade

The entire western edge of the site comes alive with a pedestrianised promenade along Thynne Street offering landscaped areas and a diverse array of bars, cafes, restaurants and retail. Enjoy a drink or alfresco dining with friends and family while soaking up the last rays of afternoon sun. Then pop into the supermarket on your way home for those last-minute essentials. Stage 2 completes the 250m promenade started in Stage 1.

Mixed-use buildings

A series of mixed-use buildings along the promenade ensure the area is activated throughout the day and evening. Each building, and each level, has its own unique character. The ground floor buzzes with the life of the promenade. The façades of the contemporary commercial spaces on levels 1 and 2 change from rectangular to rippled, capturing the afternoon winter sun for these flexible single- or multiple-tenancy spaces. The residential sky terraces on the upper levels are set back to provide spacious entertaining decks and topped with striking rooftop forms.

The village

Enjoy living in a village but with the convenience of a busy promenade right next door. The village layout (behind the mixed-use buildings) creates quiet communal spaces to interact with your neighbours as you stroll along the tree-lined boulevards to the promenade, play with your pooch or picnic in a park. Each of the 90 townhouses – a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms, mostly two storey – enjoys private open space with sunshine and shade, and secure parking. A variety of architectural forms, colours and materials reinforce the village atmosphere.

Connectivity

The site is well connected no matter where you want to go. It’s an easy commute to Civic, Belconnen and Dickson, especially with a new bus stop connecting to Belconnen and Dickson on Thynne St and the Blue Rapid bus corridor connecting all the town centres a 5-minute walk away on Haydon Drive. Walk 15 minutes or less to the University of Canberra, Bruce CIT, Radford College, Fern Hill Park, the Australian Institute of Sport and GIO Stadium for major events. Thynne St will have convenient on-street parking and a new pedestrian crossing.

Sustainability

In line with TP Dynamics commitment to the environment, much of the site has the potential to be solar powered. Stage 2 residents can generate electricity from their solar panels and battery cells, and common area lighting in the mixed-use buildings will also be solar powered. A target 4.5 star NABERS rating for the commercial tenancies will be achieved through sustainability initiatives including energy-efficient glazing and sunshading devices to the façade. The outdoor living space of each townhouse will receive at least three hours of natural daylight even during the winter solstice. More than a quarter of the site will be communal space with two-thirds of that being available for deep-root planting (substantial shade trees).

Manila Bay Modern

A design collaboration between Philippine and Australian architects, including AURORA Design and the “m design collaborative”

Concept Ideas

The Process

Bruce is slated for 56 new two-storey townhouses

Wish Residences will comprise of 56, two-storey townhouses of two and three-bedrooms spanning six buildings.

A design collaborative with TP Dynamics & AURORA DESIGN.

Source: Bruce is slated for 56 new two-storey townhouses

crone.com.au/project/taft-east-gate/

Source: crone.com.au/project/taft-east-gate/

taft east gate

taft east gate