Fender Katsalidis Architects have created an apartment building that integrates into Melbourne's arty CBD.
Art meets architecture at 108 Flinders, the sold-out Melbourne CBD apartment project which has just been unveiled by Melbourne property developer Riverlee. Situated at the top end of Flinders Street between Exhibition and Russell Streets, the 190-apartment project was designed by Fender Katsalidis Architects and features two differing facades, one facing Flinders Street and the other ACDC Lane.
The Flinders Street facade takes inspiration from the steel character of the tram and rail lines the building faces. Karl Fender of Fender Katsalidis Architects said the rear facade was designed to respond to the grainy richness of ACDC Lane. It includes a striking urban scale art wall created by graphic artist, Garry Emery. While enriching the laneway, this active facade can be individually operated by the residents to create privacy screens and in so doing, becomes a constantly activated large scale art piece. “Our practice enjoys, wherever possible, to create an architecture that contributes to the richness of our city through the thoughtful integration of art into the building fabric, often working in close collaboration with Melbourne artists,” said Fender. “108 Flinders is a sculpture in its own right, which embraces the diverse fabric of our city through its precinctual responses.”
The building also features an internal courtyard space, a rooftop terrace on level 12, a private gym and residents lounge.