We weren’t afraid to bring logic to the foreground of Avant – our new slender, 55 storey residential tower on A’Beckett Street. The structural elements that govern the building’s massing are articulated through a geometric pattern spread across the building’s surface. This distinctive façade clearly shows the structural density is compressed into the base of the building, stretching out to the top. But Avant has a softer side as well: the lacelike exo-skeleton and chamfered corners create a delicate fishnet effect – our formula? Super structure + super graphic = super surface.
There is even a story behind the vivid violet glazing – a nod to the heritage of the developer World Class Land and their parent company Aspial, whose family jewellery business patented the precious alloys to create purple gold. Avant’s interiors reflect that gradated compression found on the exterior, from the 3D effects on the podium level all the way up to the minimalism of level 55. Reflecting the same intricacy of the graphic surface outside the materials evoke ideas of hand weaving. On the ground level a pedestrian lane with retail and cafés carves through the site with geometric patterns wrapping up and over the walls. Natural materials such as timber and stone add some softness to the edges.
Up on level 10 the building’s communal facilities reflect our research into residential amenity with a glass lap pool, gym, cabanas and spas. Way up on level 55, we’ve redefined building democracy by giving the penthouse back to the people – this level features a lounge as well as dining spaces and kitchens. Given the local student population we ensured there were adequate provisions for quiet and study spaces. They say third time lucky, and given the success of our past two projects on A’Beckett Street, we can’t wait to see what’s in store for our latest building Avant.
