- Interior
- Architecture & development
Bower Manly Apartments is a project located at Cabbage Tree Bay in Sydney. The elegant building with luxurious interiors was designed in function of its surroundings. This creates a breathtaking symbiosis between the Australian coast and Australian construction.
The building has five floors and consists of six apartments. The architecture was designed by Koichi Takada Architects and the interior was developed by Mim Design. Koichi Takada Architects is an Australian architectural firm realising projects inspired by nature. The studio's design philosophy is that architecture should be almost invisible in order to impede the experience of the surroundings as little as possible.
The view of the Australian coast from the site is the inspiration for the building. ‘When I first visited this site I was struck by the raw beauty of the sun rising over the ocean. It was simply breathtaking. I knew immediately that was the moment I wanted to capture and share with others,’ says Koichi Takada. Every aspect of the architecture has been designed with the environment in mind. The flowing curves of the building are inspired by the undulating coastline and dynamic waves of the ocean.
Bower Manley's layout is designed to maximise the view of the coast from every angle. Wooden screens on the sides of the building provide privacy without completely sealing off the rooms. The property is built in a minimalist style with strategically placed columns and a subtle steel structure.
The flowing curves of the building are inspired by the undulating coastline.
This is important for Koichi Tadaka, who says the following about this: ‘Design should not speak too loudly. What’s important is how you live your life and how you connect to your environment. When you are living in our design, our goal is that you don’t see our design. It’s what we call invisible architecture. It puts you at ease, in your most relaxed state of mind.’
The interior was designed by Mim Design, an interior design studio based in Melbourne and known for its personalised approach. Bower Manly Apartments is decorated in a minimalist style. The use of natural stone was inspired by the rocks that break the waves on the coastline. Mim Design also takes advantage of the beautiful views that serve as a backdrop for the minimalist interior. The architecture and the interior blend seamlessly and therefore both converse with the Australian coast with an unmistakable harmony.
Photography: Tom Ferguson