Plans for a residential tower in Chatswood are currently on exhibition on the NSW government's major projects planning portal.
The state significant development proposal, designed by Sydney-based Fuse Architects, is located on the southern extremity of Chatswood CBD within a mixed context of two-storey townhouses, and mid-rise and high-rise apartment buildings.
The proposed 28-storey residential tower includes associated amenities, two floors of commercial office space, double-height retail spaces, and ground-floor food and beverage tenancies.
Of the project's 125 dwellings, 28 are designated as affordable dwellings. The mix includes 55 two-bed apartments, 30 three-bed and 29 one-bed apartments, and 11 four-bed apartments.
According to their statement, the architect's design has been guided by four principles for an interconnected, intergenerational, intercultural and interactive place.
On the scheme's north facade, a thickened, hollow structural wall "acts as a living element with custom joinery for benches, storage, and study areas," and "directs northern light into apartments."
Also on the north side of the site, a publicly accessible through-site link is proposed to provide a direct, east-west connection between Archer and Bertram Streets, and allow for outdoor dining and passive recreation opportunities.
A verandah wraps the base of the building on three sides with the intention of creating a sheltered transition zone between inside and out, an interface between public and semi-public zones across the site and a space for casual social interaction.
Materially, the scheme draws upon the natural phenomena of folding tree trunks and peeling tree bark through precast concrete patterning and texturing, which is complemented by perforated metal screens.
The proposal can be viewed online and is open for public comment until 21 July.
