KANNFINCH and DC8 Studio reveal curvilinear architectural designs for Bondi apartments

The first images of the AQUA apartments in Bondi Junction by KANNFINCH and DC8 Studio have been released, showcasing contemporary symmetry and a purity of line in Sydney’s busy Bondi Junction precinct.

Developed by Leighton and Qualitas, what appears to be a singular sculptured building is actually a combination of slender twin towers that curve upwards to maximise sun, air and views. The towers are united by a central corridor.

Horizontal bandings also wrap around the floor plate with changing colours and textures that emphasise the individual character of each block.

“The building has an organically-shaped floor plate which houses two elegant towers,” says Mark Sheargold, senior associate at KANNFINCH.

“In perspective, no entire elevation can be viewed at once which is intriguing to viewers and strengthens the gesture that you are looking at a sculpture form in-the-round.”

AQUA’s podium, featuring a ribbon-like awning, will contain a mix of retail and private landscaped outdoor spaces. This space is expected to preserve the rhythm and human scale of the adjacent Waverley Street Mall, whilst enhancing the streetscape.

The apartments’ interiors are designed by Koichi Takada Architects to bring a free-flowing dimension to urban living. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows and spacious balconies allow light in, while custom-designed joinery extends from kitchens into living areas.

According to Koichi Takada, inspiration for the internal design draws from the building’s location, which is an “interchange between a connected, convenient and bustling shopping and transportation hub and some of Sydney’s best beaches – an escape to nature, water and waves.”

Two distinct schemes that balance polished modern materials with the warmth of textured timber are therefore on offer: ‘Breeze’ melds whitewashed timber floors and sandy tones with crisp white joinery, while ‘Drift’ contrasts soft grey tones and stone hues with darker joinery.

These ideas of dissolving the boundaries between city and sea are brought to life in the kitchen islands, which will be shaped like a surfboard in the larger apartments, and a ‘gentle wave’ in the smaller apartments. The splashbacks will have a mirrored finish to draw the views inside.

Built on 1,309sqm, AQUA is aiming for a four star Green Star design, with units to vary from studios to three-bedroom apartments.