Hartree + Associates Architects

It is surprising how much the ‘new’ is so heavily influenced by the ‘old’, either willingly or by necessity. The utterly new Marine Terrace Apartments are no exception to this age-old realisation.

Rumour has it that the site is haunted by the ghost of Concetta, a fisherman’s wife, who stands at the front of her now long-gone cottage, gazing out to sea, awaiting the return of her seafaring husband. But this little glimmer of the macabre didn’t cast a spectre over the development, indeed, the local myth is favourably remembered in the apartment lobby, with an installation by local artist Richard Coldicutt. Back in the mortal realm, Hartree + Associates Architects were inspired by the local palette of materials – limestone, copper, rusted steel, heavy gauge timber and lime-washed render – as well as the traditional Fremantle building vernacular that is so inextricably linked to traditional maritime activities.

History also had a much more ‘real’ influence on the project in terms of practical development potential: in the past, new constructions in the City of Fremantle have been notoriously hampered by tight council development restrictions, due to the heritage value of the local area.

Faced with this obstacle, the Marine Terrace project was approached as a potential catalyst for a creative, thought-provoking, high-end development on this waterfront Fremantle strip, comprising three luxury apartments set above two street-level commercial tenancies. In the past, heritage concerns formed the basis of a 3- storey plus roof loft limit and 12-metre height restriction. This resulted in many well-intentioned but aesthetically disappointing exercises in faux architecture, which not only wasted the panoramic harbour and Indian Ocean views, but also diminished the quality of the ambience they were trying to maintain. So it was a major breakthrough when H + AA were granted a spot rezoning that allowed four storeys within the 12-metre limit. The basis for this acquiescence was the unprecedented degree of aesthetic sophistication that the project would bring to the area, and it’s not difficult to see why.

The project is visually striking on every façade. On the streetfront, the building displays an aging copper shield in luscious earthy russet tones, punctuated by deep-set picture windows. But even more exciting is the multi-faceted panelled screen, in various ocean tones of blue and green, which adorns the other main exterior aspect. Designed to resemble a woven fishing net, it equally evokes fishes scales or the tail of a mermaid, and perfectly integrates the local historical maritime theme with a sophisticated and adventurous modern design approach. The screen also serves a practical purpose, providing privacy and ventilation to the living spaces within.

Behind these façades, the design resolution displays its most practical and sustainable qualities. The apartments are arranged to form a central breezeway, directing natural light and conditioned air into the core of the building, with private spaces to the rear away from the street, and an open-plan living space adjacent to Marine Terrace. Due to the extreme winds that can plague the seafront location, the outdoor spaces are protected so that they can be enjoyed in all weather, and on calm days, the full-height stack sliding doors disappear into a pocket, transforming the primary living space into an open verandah.

The entire project was completed within the projected construction budget, within a relatively short time frame, and with significant profit to the client. As such, the Marine Terrace Apartments have excelled on every count – commercially, aesthetically and functionally – despite the many hindrances that history placed in the way. +

1 & 2 Shades of blue and green make the multi-panelled screen resemble a fishing net or the scales of a deep-sea fish. The maritime theme is inspired by the local heritage, giving the project a contextually appropriate yet individual identity. 3 The russet-coloured copper facade was selected from a local palette of materials and colours, inspired in part by Fremantle's maritime history. 4 In calm weather, the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors disappear into a pocket, transforming the main interior living space into an open-air balcony.

PHOTOGRAPHY by Patrick Bingham-Hall