Woven timber “roots” frame Brisbane high-rise by Koichi Takada Architects

by : Kate Donaldson

Australian studio Koichi Takada Architects has completed Upper House, a 33-storey high-rise in Brisbane designed to reflect the city’s tropical setting and First Nations history.

Upper House contains 188 apartments and 1,000 square metres of communal amenities behind a winding timber facade described by Koichi Takada Architects as “architectural roots”.

Full view of Brisbane tower by Koichi Takada Architects — *Weaving timber “roots” frame Upper House by Koichi Takada Architect. The photo is by Tom Ferguson*

“High-rise lifestyle has become so detached and disconnected – from the community, from nature, from one another,” he continued. “With Upper House, we are looking to challenge that and establish a new model for vertical living that is, at its foundation, about connection.”

Podium of Upper House in Brisbane — *The high-rise has a podium covered in metal artwork. The photo is by Scott Burrows*

Named Bloodlines weaving string and water, the backlit metal artwork “represents Aboriginal walking tracks and local waterways”, Takada said.

Podium and artwork in Upper House by Koichi Takada Architects in Brisbane — *The backlit artwork visualises Aboriginal walking tracks*

“This prominent expression of indigenous history lays the foundation of respect and opens a dialogue about Australia’s globally significant past.”

Weaving timber roots of facade by Koichi Takada Architects — *Upper House’s timber facade system references tree roots*

The structure was achieved in association with timber specialist Theca Australia and is made from Siberian Larch.

“We always turn to nature for inspiration,” Takada explained. “The ‘architectural roots’ map out a journey [that] functions to stabilise and anchor the tree – or in this case building – to its prime location.”

Apartment balconies are offset to follow the “roots” as they climb the building’s facade, while also providing views towards both the city and distant mountains.

Rooftop pergola in Upper House in Brisbane — *The “roots” culminate at a pergola on the building’s roof. The photo is by Tom Ferguson*

Named the Upper Club, its facilities include a gym, day spa, pool and yoga room in addition to a bar, lounge, dining space, work areas, cinema and wine cellar, all intended to encourage interaction between residents.

“A state-of-the-art wellbeing retreat and social hub are gravitational spaces which all directly address what is referred to as ‘connection deficit’,” said Takada.

Pergola cocoons in Upper House by Koichi Takada Architects in Brisbane — *Two raised timber nests form intimate cocoons for gatherings in the pergola*

“Upper House is crowned with biodiverse outdoor areas,” Takada said. “3,544 native and tropical plantings, carefully selected for their ability to thrive in the Queensland climate, ensure a resilient landscape and mini ecosystem that adds vitality to the rooftop setting.”

Communal lounge space in Upper House in Brisbane — *Communal amenities include lounging and dining spaces at the rooftop levels*

Elsewhere, the studio has also created a mixed-use tower scheme in Sydney with an arched brick podium and an apartment block in Queensland referencing the form of a pine cone.

The photography is by Mark Nilon unless otherwise stated.

This article is originally available at www.dezeen.com