A fresh look for the two buildings. Image: Turco and Associates.
The design of a two-tower, mixed-use proposal in the city, which failed to pass muster with planning authorities, has been radically revised in a bid to secure approval.
Nik Bulum’s Bulum Group originally proposed two 14- and 15-storey buildings, comprising 155 units and ground-floor shops, inspired by Canberra’s classic concrete bus shelters.
But the proposal for the corner of University Avenue and Marcus Clarke Street (Blocks 2, 7 and 8 on Section 5 City), which would replace the 55-year-old former CML building on Block 2 and a four-storey building on Block 7, ran into a wall of opposition, with the Planning Authority knocking it back last December.
Issues included building heights and facades that were deemed out of character with that area of the city – “a confusing architectural response that does not respond to the development’s immediate surroundings”.
There were also concerns about insufficient landscaping and green spaces, as well as the number of mature trees to be removed.
Not enough units received sufficient sunshine, and footpaths lacked awnings to provide cover for pedestrians.
A year later, Syzygy, Mr Bulum’s new development company, has lodged a Reconsideration application.
Gone are the Canberra bus shelter-inspired facades, replaced by a more conservative look.
Based on advice from the National Capital Authority and the Territory Planning Authority, the height of Building B on Marcus Clarke Street has been increased to the full height limit allowed (RL617) and 15 levels, while L-shaped Building A has been scaled back to 12 levels.
What the previous “bus shelter” design looked like. Image: KUD.
The unit plans and mix have been updated to maximise amenity and provide more generous, liveable spaces, and the building core has been reconfigured.
There are still 155 units overall, but Building A will have 89 (40 one-beds, 35 two-beds and 14 three-beds) and Building B will have 66 (33 one-beds, 27 two-beds and six three-beds).
Balconies have replaced winter gardens, and 88 per cent of units achieve a minimum of three hours of sunlight between 9 am and 3 pm on the winter solstice.
A common rooftop garden has been added to Building A, addressing University Avenue; the central landscape space has been upgraded; and more street trees have been retained or replaced.
Encroachments have also been reduced to allow more room for street trees.
The central plaza between the two buildings. Image: Turco and Associates
Levels have been adjusted in the central landscape space for greater accessibility, with the stairs and wheelchair lift removed.
The application says this results in a more functional and accessible public space with direct connections to the development, and between Marcus Clarke Street and the Darwin Place laneway.
An awning has been added to the University Avenue frontage, tying into the colonnade along Marcus Clarke Street to provide continuous cover for pedestrians.
The project still sits on five basement levels, but they have been reconfigured, offering 226 spaces, including 20 for commercial tenants and six for the public, while the on-grade parking along Darwin Place has been removed.
Other changes include new service locations, an updated waste strategy, and ground floor commercial levels meeting the verge and stairs have been reduced.
This new iteration follows a redesign done before the original proposal was submitted in early 2024
The National Capital Design Review Panel (NCDRP) reviewed the project four times. Bulum had originally proposed a single building for the site, but the NCDRP concluded that this would not be suitable and suggested two.
Comment on the Reconsideration application closes on 17 December.
