Bates Smart and Woods Bagot both recently unveiled major projects for student accommodation outfit 'urbanest', at Quay Street in Sydney and North Terrace in Adelaide.

Both responded to briefs which called for student-specific apartment living that allowed for both privacy and social interaction, an iconic building form and social engagement.

In Sydney, urbanest Quay Street stands on a 900 square metre site on the corner of Quay and Thomas Streets.

The 16-storey ‘L’ shaped building (pictured below) accommodates 334 students in four to six bedroom cluster apartments arranged to maximise the number of apartments with northern aspect and dual orientation.

Bates Smart director Guy Lake describes the urbanest Quay Street design as reflecting both the character of the area and the building’s use as student housing.

“The building makes a positive contribution to the Haymarket area which has long been known for its multicultural diversity, buoyed by Chinatown, Paddys Markets and its close proximity to Central Station,” said Mr Lake.

“Design elements reference this context and reflect the vitality of student life.

“Wall and window panels are repeated in an alternating pattern across the facade to create a dynamic composition, with expressed horizontal band at floor level providing the building with a sense of scale and horizontal expression.

“The curtain wall construction system, similar to that used in CBD office buildings, also delivers a very high quality façade not normally associated with student housing.”

North Terrace in Adelaide

In Adelaide, urbanest North Terrace consists of two towers housing 503 students, over a two-level podium containing retail commercial spaces and communal functions.

According to Woods Bagot director Gavin Kain, the ground level contains retail tenancies and lobby spaces while level one incorporates a communal multi-use residents’ space which includes access to balconies facing North Terrace and Bank Street.

“The site was certainly unique, a significant city site that had been largely unchanged since the 1980s,” said Kain.

“Activating the street frontage for locals and railway users was a major part of revamping this part of the city and giving the street a fresh look and feel.

“This design concept carries on through to the interior of the building with artificial grass bringing the outside in and continuing the flow of the city energy.”

The Adelaide interior

urbanest CEO Dr Andrew Lee, said: “urbanest is a young, dynamic Australian business and our customers are full of energy and fresh ideas.

“The opening of our first communities in Adelaide and Sydney marks a significant milestone for urbanest — the delivery of more than 1,500 beds to Australian and international students — and presents an opportunity to deliver cutting-edge student living like nothing before seen in either city.

“Bates Smart and Woods Bagot have risen to the challenge and demonstrated they shared our vision for creating dynamic, vibrant communities that harness a sense of vitality and place emphasis on engaging with the wider community.”