Tag Archives: architecture

do you like the apple store in sydney?

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I don’t know about you but I am a huge fan of the design of the Apple store in George Street Sydney. Time and effort has been spent on the detailing of not only the entry facade but the glass feature stair that connects the floors at the back of the building. It is a beautiful stair. The treads span from wall to wall made from 50mm thick solid glass spanning approximately 2.4m. The treads are connected to the wall by minuscule stainless steel patch fittings removing the need for stringers. The open risers add to the transparency of the stair allowing light to filter through the incredibly lightweight structure and create soft shadows on the stark aluminium composite walls. The stair not only looks good but it encourages the visitor to use the stair rather than riding the lift to the other levels. Nice work by the architect! Does anyone know who designed it?

apple store

One Serendra Philippines

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One Serendra, is a premium grade residential development, located in Bonifacio Global City, in the Philippines. The project comprise two high rise residential towers, at 48 and 37 levels each and a ‘Garden Bridge’ building of six storeys, that connect the towers at the podium level with luxury, 2 storey apartments. The total GFA for the development is 90,000m2, housing 600 apartments, in a mix of 1, 2, 3 bedroom and penthouse apartments. The West tower is complete and the East tower is currently under construction.

The initial design was presented to AYALA Land Premier in 2006. One Serendra, is the flagship development of the Serendra Master Plan. Amenities include 24 hour concierge, pool, gymnasium, spa and sauna. The buildings are set within a ‘green landscape’ zone, with the majority of apartments looking inwardly, on luscious green private gardens, pathways and pools. Interestingly to note, the Garden Bridge apartments sold at a higher price than the tower penthouse apartments, proving that a garden environment and good facility design is popular with the local market.

One Serendra

AYALA

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serendra elevation serendra photo One Serendra Aerial

arya under construction manila

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Arya Residence topped out at 40 levels mid 2012. Recently it won best condominium in the Philippines at the 2012 South East Asia Property Awards held in Singapore. We designed the project in 2009. It is a twin tower residential project with retail, landscaped gardens and facilities including podium level cantilevered pool and health club. This photo shows tower 1 in its raw state before balcony glazing is installed and painting of the facades. Tower 1 is due for completion 2013. The architecture is modern with strong sustainable design initiatives. The Arya Residence is targeting a dual green building certification. LEED gold and PhilGBC BERDE Ratings.

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arya residence balcony manila

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This photograph shows a balcony detail at Arya Residence located in Fort Bonifacio Global City in the Philippines. Arya was designed by Bob Stephenson and myself in 2009. It was wonderful to see the building under construction in August 2012 when I visited for a “topping off” celebration for tower 1 (When the tower reached its maximum height – 40 levels). The balcony is splayed and notched at the ends of the building creating a vertical line, emphasising and dramatising the height of the tower. The balcony is made of pre cast concrete panels with a paint finish. The photograph shows the pre cast panel before paint was applied and I wish we were able to convince the client this was an appropriate finish. A pre cast polished concrete panel with a white oxide mix to the cement and white stone aggregate with an exterior weather coating. Now wouldn’t that be nice?

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serendra east tower ayala land premier manila

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This photograph was taken earlier this year. Crone Partners designed the building in 2006 and the first tower was completed in 2012. A relatively long construction process by Australian standards with the first tower taking 5 years to construct. Our role was to provide Concept Master Plan and Schematic Design services for a twin tower residential project for Ayala Land Premier. The site is located in Fort Bonifacio Global City, Makati, Philippines.

It was an extremely rare blue sky day in Manila. Typically hazy with smog. Perfect for taking a photograph. Unfortunately my thumb got in the way of a really good photograph. 🙂

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