Nautilus is the premium residential development within Shell Cove, the new beachside community envisioned and procured by Frasers Property and Shellharbour City Council on the South Coast of New South Wales. Its prime location offers views out to the beach, ocean, harbour and surrounding mountain range. Designed to maximise the amenity for the residents and the outlook, the 116 apartments are split between two buildings: one six storeys and the other four.
Expand ContentThe architecture of the building is informed by the waterfront location, with the curved form taking its cue from the graceful shapes and details found on the coast: boat hulls, driftwood and shells. These loose references are developed into an architectural language that is appropriate for a development of this scale and its coastal location. The curved building has stacks of balconies framed by strong pre-cast concrete ladders that splay outwards at the top and the base to give the building a “waist”, while exponentially increasing the unit size in the most valuable areas.
Much like the residential buildings of the Georgian period, the façade draws on the idea of repetition and regular rhythm to create order. Effectively, the curved form and almost classical expression give the building its sense of grandeur.
Access to winter sun, protection from summer sun and natural cross ventilation were primary considerations in designing this building. The final architectural form is a long thin building that is bent to a horseshoe arrangement with seven cores and mostly dual aspect apartments. The resultant semi-circular courtyard is a dramatic space containing a pool and lush garden, both of which are protected from the sea breeze. A rooftop gym and garden provide an invaluable space for exercise and a quiet retreat.
The interiors of the apartments are designed to complement coastal influences of the building’s architecture. Generous floor plans follow the order of the façade, fanning outwards to capture unparalleled views over Shellharbour Marina at Shell Cove and Shellharbour Beach. The internal finishes reference driftwood, seashells and sand dunes to create a calm ambience in a serene environment.
Smart Design Studio’s design for Nautilus embraces its prime waterfront location with an architecture that is grand, bold and enduring. Its prominent location and distinctive expression have resulted in a landmark building for this emerging community.
