Aria to move ahead with bulked-up 'Urban Forest' apartment development in South Brisbane
Brisbane developer Aria is reviving its South Brisbane development which is being pitched as ‘one of the world’s greenest residential buildings.'
The sustainability-focused developer initially sought to build a 34-level tower back in 2020, before scaling the density back to 20 levels. That was approved in 2021.
Three years later, they've filed again with the Brisbane City Council, seeking to go back up to 30 levels. Proposed are 321 one, two, three, four and five-bedroom apartments, under a full rooftop amenity level, a signature feature in Aria's developments.
The reason for the uplift is to take advantage of the recently gazetted Kurilpa Temporary Local Planning Instrument.
Urbis noted in its Town Planning Report that the TLPI provides for greater density, building height and reduced car parking requirements where design and sustainability benchmarks can be delivered.
"These benchmarks include design excellence, community benefit, sustainability measures and housing diversity where proposing higher density residential buildings."
They said Aria's Urban Forest comprises a truly iconic and world-class residential building, one which links Musgrave Park and South Bank Parklands.
"The proposal goes above and beyond the usual offering for a residential building with a level of community and public benefit that is unprecedented for any development of this scale in Brisbane – a true landmark for the city and a new benchmark for innovative subtropical design in Australia.
"This community and public benefit is made possible through the additional density allowed for by the TLPI and is more than justified through its suburban, precinct and site-level context."
Renowned Japanese architecture firm Koichi Takada Architects has been in charge of the design.
"The design has a layered living facade, inviting dappled light into the balconies and living rooms," the Urban Design Report submitted to Council noted.
"Urban Forest design learns from the natural environment, using a living facade to filter air and provide ventilation while protecting windows for heat gain. The apartments and common areas enjoy fresh air improving indoor health and quality."
Urbis said the project landscape architects, LatStudios, have analysed the world’s most recognisable and acclaimed green buildings to confirm that the proposal does indeed provide the most landscaping for any residential building in the world.
The ground plane has been dedicated as a considered open space at a more intimate scale than the nearby large and medium-scale public green spaces with a variety of seating, open space, lighting, art, water features, high volume, sculptural green columns.
The 30-level tower would home 321 apartments, down from 383 apartments in the original 30-level design. There will be a variety of configurations, from one-bedroom to five-bedroom apartments.
Recreational space will be on the communal rooftop, where there will be a 50-metre infinity pool and several spas, cabanas and day beds, yoga spaces, meditation pods, and barbecue and alfresco areas.
