Wood Marsh have once again demonstrated their affinity for curves and contrasts in architecture, this time bringing their trademark sculptural wooden detailing and heavy massing to a multi-residential project in Brighton, Victoria.

Not unlike their efforts for the RACV Golf Resort in Torquay, 30 Esplanade is both an experiment with curved features and an exhibition of timber and concrete contrasts. It comprises 24 three-storey townhouses, built on a compact site in a side-by-side layout.

As with all townhouse projects, the privacy for occupants was a major influence on the placement of the building’s windows, outdoor spaces and privacy screening at the Brighton residences. It is from this consideration that 30 Esplanade’s most conspicuous element of façade of took its form - a series of curvilinear timber screens which convex and concave at different points along the building in a wave-like pattern.

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The screens are made from 42 x 42mm Pacific Teak battens from Woodform Architectural which are generally fastened to an aluminium subframe system in a vertical arrangement. They serve a dual privacy/solar control purpose achieved by framing or screening certain elements of the townhouse’s balconies and windows along the facade.

Other than that, Wood Marsh also added a unique fluted concrete cladding element to the building’s side as an architectural feature. The flute-shape was created in a single piece set-out form so as to avoid joint lines across the face of the panels and is coloured by a white through-colour pigment powder called Abilox from Ability Building Colours.

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Inside the townhouses, the timber touches continue with 30x30mm light oak battens on the kitchen bulkhead and as red oak floor boards throughout the living areas. The fluted-concrete exterior wall is also referenced in the bathrooms along the custom-designed vanities by Wood Marsh.

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Each of 30 Esplanade’s residences span three levels, beginning at the ground floor ‘showroom garage’ before moving past a fully-landscaped courtyard and peaking at an expansive roof-top deck. They have generous 2.9m high ceilings, full-height double-glazed windows from Capral Aluminium that are fitted with European-style ‘tilt and turn’ hinges as well as luxurious kitchens.

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While 30 Esplanade is obviously tailored to high-end buyers, Wood Marsh have kept the building firmly planted within the neighbouring built fabri through a pared-back material palette and a discreet street front facade... Inside, however, is another story.

PRODUCTS

FLUTED PRECAST CONCRETE
Quartzite aggregate
Ability Chemicals Abilox Illum-Inite White 8.3%

TIMBER CLADDING
WOODFORM ARCHITECTURAL, 40 x 40mm Pacific Teak battens

EXTERNAL FIXED/FRAMING SYSTEM
CAPRAL, 419 Flushline Double Glazed 150mm x 50mm profile

EXTERNAL OPERABLE
CAPRAL, Euro Tilt & Turn

EXTERNAL INCLINED/SKYLIGHT
CAPRAL, St Kilda with Awning window

INTERNAL FIXED/FRAMING SYSTEM
CAPRAL, 400 Narrowline Single Glazed 100mm x 50mm profile

INTERIOR CARPETS
ARTOZ Carpets + Rugs

FLOOR BOARDS
Harper Sandiland, 250mm x 22mm American Oak

KITCHEN BULKHEAD
Market Timbers, 30 x 30mm light Oak Timber battens