261 Lake Street Apartments

Cairns, Queensland

Located in Cairns North, in close proximity to the hospital, 261 Lake Street is a public housing project designed to deliver six 1-bedroom and six 2-bedroom apartments across three levels above a ground-level car park.

Located in a Tourist Accommodation Zone, the design sensitively addresses the constraints of the planning scheme whilst understanding that the project is considered ‘Substantially Inconsistent’. The design is based on the principles of QDesign guide that respond to the specifics of place while meeting the needs of its residents. Consideration has been given to the ite infrastructure and service requirements.

Set within a Tourist Accommodation Zone, the design sensitively navigates the planning scheme’s constraints despite its ‘Substantially Inconsistent’ classification. The architecture is informed by the QDesign guide, prioritizing place-responsive strategies and resident-focused solutions. Consideration of IT infrastructure and service requirements ensures the development’s functional integrity.

The building’s robust character reflects its purpose while embracing the tropical Queenslander aesthetic. This is articulated through a dynamic interplay of solid and movable batten screens, allowing for adaptive responses to the tenants’ evolving needs.

Strategically oriented for natural ventilation, the apartments harness prevailing southeast and northeast breezes, offering passive cooling that enhances indoor comfort and reduces reliance on mechanical air conditioning.

Client
Dept Energy and Public Works

Year
Current

Value
5M

Services
Architecture

261 Lake Street Apartments

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