Woods Bagot and Aqualand bring an Aura of change to North Sydney

Located on North Sydney’s bustling Walker Street, the sculptural volumes of Aura by Aqualand emerge gently from within the sloping topography of the suburb. The project’s purposefully organic form is informed both by the softness of the surrounding landscape, and the city’s curvilinear shoreline. Set for completion in 2024, this sophisticated residential development has been designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with interior architect Richards Stanisich to redefine the notion of urban living by placing the sense of community at its very heart.

“At Aura we have put an intense focus on the community benefit of the project – how we integrate into the public domain and create an environment that is inviting to the existing and the future community,” explains Jason Fraser, Principal and Global Sector Leader – Residential at Woods Bagot. “The residences sit above 3 levels of retail, hospitality and workplace that provide an amenity far beyond most residential developments. Coupled with this is a residential amenity offer that is considered in three parts; active amenities at ground level including gym, pool and activity rooms; passive amenity at the waist of the building with internal amenity rooms and outdoor amenity at the crown where people can relax in the sun or use these spaces socially.”

With 386 luxury residences boasting panoramic harbour and district vistas, a 5-star hotel-style concierge service and a dining precinct with a wine bar, LA-inspired bistro and Japanese restaurant, the ambitious project is spearheading a transformation of the area into Sydney's new CBD precinct by attentively addressing the way urban living is evolving.

“The one thing that has really become evident in recent times is the need to design to reflect the diversity of people and their needs,” Jason points out. “The homes we design are now considered for people to inhabit them beyond the 5 to 9 that was the tradition. Working from home, flexible working, self-employment, shared parenting, and shifting attitudes to living in general are just some of the changes in the way we all live that mean apartment design is changing. We consistently aim to be aware of these changes and translate that into the homes we design. This ability to accommodate people’s diversity and sense of self is only going to become increasingly important in everything we design.”

Jason adds that Woods Bagot’s approach to residential projects is deeply guided by the consideration for how they can create great places, and then strive to create great architecture within them. “Vibrant, active, healthy places where people are happy to live in continually changing ways are the heart of our project’s success,” he explains.

This intent is embodied by Aura's self-assured form that comfortably nestles into the falling topography of North Sydney. With its robust shape articulated in response to its boundary, and sculpted to its context, Aura’s soft volumes sprawl gently across the site, creating multiple connections to adjoining streets and the future North – South pedestrian link from St Leonards Park to North Sydney station. In addition, the new Sydney Metro Victoria Cross station adjacent to the development adds another valuable transportation option.

But the grounding practicality of the transport links or proximity to the surrounding parklands aren’t the only ways in which Aura harnesses its milieu – the project is permeated with the elements of the surrounding landscape. “The design very much refers to the landscape of North Sydney and its connection to the harbour in its form and language,” Jason says. “The building is shaped by rich, organic forms. Materials are designed to reflect light in different ways through the day and throughout the seasons like the light reflecting off the rippling water of the harbour. At ground level we have exposed or re-used much of the unique North Sydney sandstone to refer to the site’s origins and integrated landscape to foster a healthy and wellness oriented public domain experience.”

This commitment to establishing a distinct visual connection to the rich tapestry of the area is also expressed through the design team’s meticulous specification methodology, and prioritising products that would allow them to incorporate functional elements in an inconspicuous way.

Stortmech’s tile insert drains are most certainly one of these products, and a considered mix of their signature 100tii20MTL and 100tii27MTL drains was incorporated throughout the main bathrooms and the ensuites. Renowned for fusing the latest in drainage technology with a minimalist design language, Stormtech’s marine grade stainless steel products have long been enabling architects to bring their vision to life, without hindering the optics of their designs. This project is no different.

“We’ve integrated this system into the public domain because of its ability to seamlessly incorporate drainage and be visually unobtrusive,” explains Jason. “This allows us to keep the focus on materiality and public space.”

Through this unwavering emphasis on materiality, public space and community benefit, Woods Bagot, Richards Stanisich and Aqualand deliver a residential environment that not only confidently finds its footing on the falling slopes of North Sydney, but provides an adaptable foundation to the evolving needs of the communities of today, and the future.