St. Falls / Elenberg Fraser Architecture

Architects: Elenberg Fraser Architecture
Location: Falls Creek, Victoria, Australia
Client: Zacamoco
Project team: Callum Fraser, Valerie Tan, Hazel Porter, Frank Olbrich, Lorenzo Nuti, Kathrin Wheib, Marcus Ieraci, Caroline King, Iva Foschia, Andrew Prodromou, Beth Solomon, Karl Engstrom
Project Management: PDS Group
Structural consultant: Bonacci Group Pty Ltd & VSL Australia Pty Ltd
Builder: LU Simon
Quantity Surveyor: Slattery Australia
Building Surveyor: Gardner Group
Budget: AU $24 millions
Project year: 2007
Construction year: 2009
Photographs: Peter Bennetts, Tony Miller & Peter Clarke

Situated in Falls Creek, the development is an essential and exciting new Gateway concept for the Village. Com- prising two elegantly formed buildings emerging from the landscape, the view on arrival is complimented by the clearly framed aspect up to the ski fields beyond.

At ground level there will be a new retail strip fronting Bogong High Plains Road enlivening the street frontage and creating weather protected spill out zones for visitors to the Village. Entries to the upper level apartments are integrated into this dynamic facade language with prominent entry canopies announcing the unique interiors of the St Falls lobbies.

The winding ramp system moves the visitor up through the two buildings and the broad central public staircase brings visitors up between the two buildings. Both paths of movement pass several retail and amenity spaces nestled into the rock faced walls, arriving at the elevated level of the revitalised Slalom Plaza and the expansive north facing terraced café & restaurant areas.

At Slalom Plaza level there are large commercial tenancies opening directly onto the large public meeting place. From the Plaza looking out over an endless view to the Valley and Mount Spion Kopje below, the buildings offer a multitude of spaces and programmes from which to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Plaza level entries to the upper level apartments are again integrated into this dynamic building language.

Within the two buildings the apartments are unique in their concept, reflecting the exclusive nature of the overall St Falls concept. Expansive views through generous windows orchestrate the light filled interior spaces. Dining zones move into living spaces that flow to external balconies. The balconies all hold a hot tub and extend beyond the beautifully articulated timber building skin to present maximum availability to the views beyond.

The apartment materials exude a luxury reflective of the design quality and inspired approach to the idea of hotel apartment living. First class appliances and fixtures and fittings are used throughout. Furniture is included as part of a considered overall designed aesthetic.

The development is respectful of the natural environment within which it is situated and recognises the work that Falls Creek Resort Management Board has put into maintaining these values. The development will utilise passive techniques such as solar orientation and thermal massing, as well as more pro active measures where viable.