THE IDEA

AMA Place is a boutique residential address located adjacent to Altona Train Station and three blocks from Port Philip Bay. The overarching objective was to capture the coastal character of the local area through considered use of materiality, colour palette and built form, as well as to capture and frame water views from as many of the apartments as possible.

THE SOLUTION

Sargood Street presented a range of site conditions which required careful consideration. It’s immediate neighbour to the south is an RSL in a low-set, older style brick building. To its north and rear is a public carpark and entrance to the RSL, as well as the new Altona Train Station. One of our major considerations was to mitigate issues of overlooking and to focus views out to Port Philip Bay. This was addressed through carefully positioned and permeable screening to the east and south, solid balconies with substantial planter boxes on west facing balconies and the exclusion of glazing from the northern perimeter.

To capture Altona's coastal character we harnessed the natural characteristics of the selected materials and paired them with bright coastal whites, soft deep charcoals and light timber highlights. We considered materials that would withstand the elements such as concrete and perforated metal, to resist corrosion and weathering.

The built form references the local vernacular by adopting a boxy form, broken up through texture and vertical screening elements. The concrete form line features bold slab edge details externally, balanced by intricate detailing in lobbies and apartment interiors. Spaces are contemporary and intentionally paired back, with high ceilings, lots of storage and home-like features such as inbuilt study nooks.


THE IMPACT

AMA Place was embraced by the market and was fully occupied upon completion. It provides a modern and boutique residential offering for a local market who are motivated to downsize but are keen to remain in their immediate community.