The Lanes Apartments are situated on a prominent corner along Australia’s Gold Coast. Their artistic design skillfully bridges the gap between the coastal high-rise skyline and the inland local architecture. Featuring four tower residences, the buildings employ a flowing architectural style that echoes the natural contours of the earth and the organic growth of plants, creating a harmonious balance between the urban environment and Unity Lake.
The building’s structure is clearly expressed on its facade. An outer framework of vertical glass fiber reinforced concrete (GRC) columns leans upward, supporting the four towers while providing partial shading for the segmented glass walls. Two of the towers rise 10 stories high, housing retail and commercial spaces on the ground floor, which will connect to a future retail village. The other two towers reach 12 stories and offer residential amenities including swimming pools, terraces, saunas, spas, gyms, game rooms, and conference facilities.
The exterior wall design addresses climate challenges by reducing the building’s overall thermal load. Each GRC column connects directly to the apartment interiors, wrapping around balconies to limit direct sunlight exposure and enhance shading.
The project incorporates several passive design strategies to ensure comfortable living in a sunny subtropical climate without relying on artificial cooling. These include open-plan living areas, maximizing the number of operable doors to facilitate natural ventilation, and recessed balcony designs that provide cool, shaded outdoor spaces. In addition, on-site commercial facilities support residents’ daily needs, reducing the necessity for car trips and lowering fossil fuel consumption.
Project Drawings
△ Architectural Model
△ Architectural Model
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Plan of Floors Three to Eleven
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
Schematic Diagram of Detailed Model
Project Information
Architectural Design: Contreras Earl Architecture
Area: 46,823 m²
Year Completed: 2022
Photographer: John Gollings
Suppliers: Australian Joinery Products, Beaumont Tiles, CARPET WORLD COMMERCIAL, Civic Shower Screens & Wardrobes, Fisher & Paykel, GREEN SWITCH ELECTRICAL, Harvey Norman, Imperial Stone Group Pty Ltd, MULTICOOL, Plumbers’ Supplies Co-op
Design Directors: Rafael Contreras, Monica Earl
Architectural Assistant: Roman Ghaemi
Location: Mermaid Waters, Australia
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