An Urban Cultural Hub – Mulberry by Cox Architecture and Art Group

Soho in Canberra is a mixed-use development inspired by the energy, liveliness and eclecticism of urban cultural hubs. The first release – Mulberry by Cox Architecture, Art Group, Darren Palmer and Redbox Design Group – takes cues from the neighbourhood’s historical context and demonstrates a thoughtful synergy between apartment living and amenity.

Located just over two kilometres from Canberra’s city centre along Northbourne Avenue, Soho aims to reimagine Northbourne Precinct – a multi-residential development designed by architects Sydney Archer in the 1960s. It was informed by architect Walter Burley Griffin’s formative plans for Canberra and, for a time, served as accommodation for the public service. With the help of specialist heritage architects at Conrad Gargett, Soho champions the precinct’s original modernist architecture through a contemporary lens. Encompassing extensive landscaping by Redbox Design Group, a bustling hospitality offering, newly commissioned public art and access to public transport (there’ll be a light rail stop on Mulberry’s doorstep), Soho has a distinctly urban, community feel designed with creativity and culture at its core.

Mulberry is nestled amongst the revitalised heritage buildings at the southern end of the site. It features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments across six buildings with low maintenance landscaping, a pool, sundeck and rooftop gardens. Designed by Cox Architecture, the articulated façades create clearly defined entrance foyers as well as visual interest and variation for passers-by. What’s more, Cox Architecture and Art Group sought to deliver a precinct that sits gently alongside the neighbouring vernacular. As such, the tallest building is eight storeys, and the diversity of the base – which is planted out with greenery – helps to soften the volumes.

The interiors, designed by Darren Palmer in collaboration with Cox Architecture, neatly reflect the precinct’s identity through effortless, light-filled spaces. “I wanted to create homes that felt fresh, contemporary, comfortable [and] inviting,” Darren says. There are three distinct colour schemes; of these, one is bright and airy, and another brings deeper hues to the fore. As Darren says, “these two palettes are balanced and feature lots of consistency across the flooring, cabinet and benchtop colours and materials, reflecting popular and timeless interior schemes that are desirable and liveable.” The third concept channels European design ideals with rich timber hues. As Darren notes, “it is possibly the more cutting edge of the three schemes but also features enough of the popular neutral palette to work with any homeowner’s furniture and décor desires.”

There are three distinct colour schemes; of these, one is bright and airy, and another brings deeper hues to the fore. As Darren Palmer says, “these two palettes are balanced and feature lots of consistency across the flooring, cabinet and benchtop colours and materials, reflecting popular and timeless interior schemes that are desirable and liveable.”

Mulberry’s interiors are defined by smart design choices and inviting palettes that give way to highly liveable spaces. Fisher & Paykel appliances enhance not only the usability of each apartment but the aesthetics too. The 60cm 6 Function Oven in black glass with stainless steel dials is both minimal and durable, as is the three-burner Gas on Glass Cooktop. The residents were invited to select their preferred fridge model, with many opting for Fisher & Paykel’s Integrated Refrigerator Freezer for its roomy design and seamless integration capabilities. The kitchens also include Fisher & Paykel’s Integrated Single DishDrawer, which disappears behind cabinetry, and in the laundry, the Combi Front Loader Washer Dryer is an intelligent, space-saving solution. Residents were offered a range of additional features such as custom joinery, electric heated floors in the bathrooms and full furniture packages, and electric bikes for hire, car sharing options and electric car charging services are available as well.

Mulberry expresses many of the hallmarks central to a well-executed mixed-use development; namely, a consideration for liveability and a design informed by context. As a favourable first contribution to the wider Soho precinct, it promises to enrich the lives of its residents both in and around their homes and bring continued appeal to those who seek the bustling atmosphere of a thriving urban pocket.