Australian Architecture Captures the Heart and Imagination of Awards Programs Globally

Upper House (South Brisbane, Australia) is a 33-storey multi-residential project by Koichi Takada Architects that has been honoured by many global awards programs in 2024. Both juries and the public have commended Upper House for its conscious choices, introduction of natural materials, biodiverse plantings, respect for people and planet, as its shapely form. The building delivers 188 luxury apartments inside expressive architecture that references the Moreton Bay Fig treea 5-storeyartwork on the façade shares a message about Australia’s indigenous people, the world’s oldest known living civilisation.

Photo credit: Scott Burrows

Photo credit: Mark Nilon

Photo credit: Mark Nilon

Upper House is the first completed collaboration between Aria Property Group and Koichi Takada Architects and the architecture is designed to celebrate Brisbane’s natural beauty, relaxed urban lifestyle and mild sub-tropical climate. Punctuating the city skyline with a timber pergola and tropical rooftop oasis, Upper House has 1,000m² of progressive wellbeing amenities that bring residents together.

Photo credit: Tom Ferguson

Photo credit: Scott Burrows

Photo credit: Tom Ferguson

Distinctive Design

Easily identified by the architectural “roots” of the façade and natural timber pergola, Upper House’s form references the buttress root system of the native Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla). The curvaceous lines of the architecture exist in harmony with the façade artwork that draws directly from the site’s history. Bloodlines Weaving String and Water, 2023 by renowned Waanyi artist Judy Watson, is expressed on perforated metal, folded and backlit in order to bring to life indigenous history and traditional narrative. This prominent expression of indigenous history lays the foundation of respect, fosters a sense of inclusion among residents, and opens a dialogue about Australia’s significant past.

Facade artwork by Australian Indigenous artist Judy Watson.
Photo credit: Scott Burrows

Photo credit: Scott Burrows

Photo credit: Mark Nilon

Holistic Wellness & Wellbeing

Upper House caters to the collective and individual wellbeing needs of its residents, offering respite from busy city life. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of nature for wellbeing, and a focus on holistic wellness. The hospitality spaces include infinity pool, spa, saunas, fitness club, yoga studio in and amongst mature tropical landscaping, as well as a boardroom, work from home facilities, a lounge bar, a cinema, bookable private dining, and a collective wine cellar for hosting events on site.

Photo credit: Tom Ferguson

Photo credit: Mark Nilon

Photo credit: Mark Nilon

Photo credit: Scott Burrows

Photo credit: Mark Nilon

Photo credit: Mark Nilon

Sustainability, Biodiversity, and Optimisation

All Upper House apartments enjoy outdoor balcony space and are strategically oriented to provide privacy, or open out towards views of the Brisbane CBD to the east or a mountainous green landscape to the west. The staggered balcony protrusions also balance natural light and shade to accommodate an exceptional quality of life in the sub-tropical climate.

• Achieved 5-Star Green Star Rating (Green Building Council of Australia)
• 40kL rainwater tank irrigates all plants
• 30kW solar system
• Extensive landscaping provides insulation and reduces heat-island effect
• Building is designed with 20% reduction in water consumption
• Sustainable building materials used in construction (third party verified)
• 100% renewable energy procured for building’s electricity consumption
• 242 bicycle spaces and 60 Electric Vehicle charging spaces
• Achieved an 8.4 Stars through the NatHERS energy rating scheme

3,544 plantings – a combination of native and tropical species – carefully selected for their ability to thrive in the local climate, ensure a resilient landscape and mini ecosystem that adds vitality to the rooftop setting and show a great commitment to sustainability. The layers of trees and foliage serve as a natural insulator, reducing reliance on artificial heating and cooling. Rainwater harvesting in a 40kL rainwater tank provides irrigation to all plantings. High-density living, in this manner, optimises the use of land and promotes the efficient use of resources. Upper House’s residents put resource sharing into practice through an electric vehicle carshare fleet, and the building is equipped with e-vehicle charging stations – with the ability to integrate them throughout 100% of car parking spaces.

Koichi Takada Architects

Koichi Takada belongs to a new generation of architects that strive to return nature to the urban environment. A refined Japanese sensibility informs the architectural designs of his practice in Sydney, Australia.

The 2021 publication, "Koichi Takada: Architecture, Nature, Design", outlines his career to date, details his visionary, nature-inspired architecture, and aids his mission to encourage the next generation of architects to consciously shape the future of humankind. Takada’s architecture reconnects humans to the natural environment, drawing inspiration from organic forms and local contexts.