The Gateway Wollongong
by Margie
We are excited to have submitted the Development Application for our central Wollongong project with the working title, The Gateway.
Identified by Wollongong Council as a key site, the property is bound by Flinders, Keira and Campbell Streets.
[caption id="attachment_2201" align="aligncenter" width="1500"]
Aerial perspective of The Gateway[/caption]
The site is on the old highway at the northern entry to Wollongong's CBD. It is literally the 'gateway' to the town centre making the transition from what has been the car yard strip to our very own ‘Eat Street’.
Predominantly a residential development with over 200 units, The Gateway provides a variety of dwelling types that benefit from good solar access and views to the escarpment with some units achieving water views.
[caption id="attachment_2202" align="aligncenter" width="1350"]
Community courtyard[/caption]
The Gateway creates a community with all the benefits of inner city living only metres from the best dining in Wollongong and just a short stroll from the theatre and arts precinct. An internal, landscaped, courtyard the size of two residential blocks creates a range of outdoor spaces for family gatherings and communal activities. The Gateway project recognises and takes advantage of the trend for the city to be the metaphorical 'living room' whilst at the same time providing space for the residents to establish their own sense of community.
The irregular shape of the property with its long elevation to the west and narrow neck to the north presented a challenge in achieving a successful passive solar design. Nevertheless, as with all good urban design, the perceived liabilities of the site were tackled head on and used as an opportunity.
[caption id="attachment_2204" align="aligncenter" width="1500"]
Western perspective[/caption]
A key design element of the development is a bronze mesh ribbon that organically morphs on each elevation to respond to the particular aspect. We’ve used this medium to form the balustrades to balconies, giving privacy while maintaining filtered views. The ribbons twist along each facade to form horizontal elements to shade windows. Vertical shutters in the same bronze material allow residents to individually control the environment in terms of solar access and privacy.
The Council has an ambition for Wollongong to be an iconic city. We are excited that the Gateway project sits comfortably in its context and makes a significant contribution to this goal.
Aerial perspective of The Gateway[/caption]
The site is on the old highway at the northern entry to Wollongong's CBD. It is literally the 'gateway' to the town centre making the transition from what has been the car yard strip to our very own ‘Eat Street’.
Predominantly a residential development with over 200 units, The Gateway provides a variety of dwelling types that benefit from good solar access and views to the escarpment with some units achieving water views.
[caption id="attachment_2202" align="aligncenter" width="1350"] Community courtyard[/caption]
The Gateway creates a community with all the benefits of inner city living only metres from the best dining in Wollongong and just a short stroll from the theatre and arts precinct. An internal, landscaped, courtyard the size of two residential blocks creates a range of outdoor spaces for family gatherings and communal activities. The Gateway project recognises and takes advantage of the trend for the city to be the metaphorical 'living room' whilst at the same time providing space for the residents to establish their own sense of community.
The irregular shape of the property with its long elevation to the west and narrow neck to the north presented a challenge in achieving a successful passive solar design. Nevertheless, as with all good urban design, the perceived liabilities of the site were tackled head on and used as an opportunity.
[caption id="attachment_2204" align="aligncenter" width="1500"] Western perspective[/caption]
A key design element of the development is a bronze mesh ribbon that organically morphs on each elevation to respond to the particular aspect. We’ve used this medium to form the balustrades to balconies, giving privacy while maintaining filtered views. The ribbons twist along each facade to form horizontal elements to shade windows. Vertical shutters in the same bronze material allow residents to individually control the environment in terms of solar access and privacy.
The Council has an ambition for Wollongong to be an iconic city. We are excited that the Gateway project sits comfortably in its context and makes a significant contribution to this goal. 
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