Wallumatta

Distinct form among a glassy context

Wallumatta is a mixed-use project combining 348 residential apartments, 100 aged care living units, retail and hospitality spaces, a fire station and generous green spaces.

Our winning design negotiates challenging site conditions and planning controls to create an architectural expression that is unique to its Rhodes context. Wallumatta embraces a distinct identity among its glassy context, opting instead for a more horizontal and grounded expression.

The form breaks down the singular massing of the planning envelope and proposes three key design moves; plinth, podium and two towers. By removing the infill element between the towers, apartments maximise natural light and view opportunities.

The towers step in plan and elevation to create a rhythmic street wall along Concord Road. Their unique architectural expression is defined by horizontal masonry bands, contrasting with the verticality of the surrounding high-rise forms.

The podium is expressed as a series of rectilinear volumes that also step along the curved boundary. These volumes provide a human scale at the street level, housing aged care neighbourhoods and independent living units.

A masonry plinth anchors the development, accommodating retail and hospitality spaces, along with a fire station at the northern corner of the site. A large garden arrival court fronts Blaxland Road at this level. The green space is open to the public and acts as an entry for both tower residents and aged care residents, encouraging social interaction and inclusivity.

Wallumatta has a robust, low carbon, long-life façade. A palette of bricks transitions in colour as it rises, exuding a residential quality and referencing the area’s industrial heritage. Passive design solutions, including deep balconies and screens, ensure the project is a climate-positive addition to Rhodes.