Subtle Drama – Domain Road Apartments by Wood Marsh Architecture
Sitting upon its own tapered concrete plinth, Domain Road Apartments is imagined as an enduring expression of refinement and simplicity in response to the surrounds. Wood Marsh Architecture articulates an intricate weaving of open and closed spaces to balance the light and dark features whilst creating distinctively calm sanctuaries.
Encased in a combination of reflective glass and solid elements, Domain Road Apartments responds to its surrounding streetscape with consideration towards its scale and form. Wanting to engage beyond the site and acknowledge the existing approaches already in place, the combined residences sit within a crisp and linear exterior silhouette. Whilst subtle shifts in the transparent façade respond to the interior functions, the overall form is contained on the existing site, purposefully increasing density. Wood Marsh Architecture creates an interplay between light and dark features, balancing differing textures and materiality as a key part of the experience of the apartments.
Domain Road Apartments considers the transition from street to home and crafts a distinctive sequence of experiences along the way. The stable concrete plinth that the rectilinear base sits upon brings a sense of separation between public and private, allowing for the ground-level apartments to feel secure and disconnected. Set among an equally curated landscape designed by TCL, the next chapter should see the plinth become overgrown with plants and cascade down toward the footpath. From the rear laneway, a private access point reinforces a sense of seclusion and is the first point of contact with the building as its façade begins to fragment.
Carrying the exterior materials into the interior, concrete and glass create a sense of solidity that counters more traditional residential palettes. In the detailing and patina of the materials lies a distinct texture that allows for natural light to create its own interaction and movement throughout the day. Together with stone, leather and blackened bronze, a grounded warmth is created within each of the apartments, with the framed, open views adding a certain lightness. Located across from the Royal Botanic Gardens, creating a visual connection to nature was vital, which, in turn, enlivens the bunkered homes.
