45 on Lawson
Photographer: Mark Syke
The design and development of 9 luxury apartments with park and seaside views at Byron Bay rejuvenated an edge of town within the popular holiday destination.
Lawson Street runs parallel to the sea and links the town centre to Watagos Beach and to the lighthouse. The site is bordered by the park to the north and east, residential housing to the west, and Lawson Street to the south. The site enjoys exposure to northern sunlight and views to the park through Casuarina trees with views to the northeast and towards the sea.
Apartments are configured along Lawson Street and kinked mid-way to become perpendicular to the sea. The relationship of the building with the street and park was an important consideration in the design.
Lower levels along the east and west edges contain single level twoand three-bedroom apartments. All ground floor apartments have front and rear external soft landscaped areas including park access and a plunge pool. The central section has double level three-bedroom apartments with north and south exposure. The upper level is set back further and contains two single-level penthouse apartments with surrounding terraces and a plunge pool. Their roof extends beyond the window line to shade apartment interiors minimizing solar heat gain.
Photographer: Mark Syke
Natural materials compliment the site’s surroundings, with massing broken down into discreet elements to reduce the appearance of building bulk. Grey colour coated aluminium window frames compliment the main building mass. Stone forms the building’s base and low-height walls between dwellings. Timber screens and solar shading devices punctuate the building, while interiors are simple and subtle to reflect local beach culture with stone finishes, timber flooring and joinery.
The shading devices allow solar heat gain at winter to maintain thermal comfort while mitigating summer heat gain. It’s prime orientation also allows for good natural ventilation and energy savings due to reduced need for artificial heating and cooling.
Photographer: Mark Syke
Photographer: Mark Syke
Photographer: Mark Syke
Photographer: Mark Syke
Photographer: Mark Syke
Photographer: Mark Syke