The art of sophisticated apartment design: Lendlease lifts urban living to new levels

Modern apartment design is about more than just floor plans. It’s about curating spaces where aesthetics, functionality and sustainability are harmoniously balanced.
Apartment architecture: our underlying philosophy and design approach

Lendlease’s approach to apartment design hinges on a foundational architectural philosophy that is customer-led and blends functionality, aesthetics and sustainability.

“We design for our customers, focusing on functionality, the feel of the space, materiality and convenience. Our goal is to design apartments as spaces that people love to live in, spaces that are both beautiful and practical.”

–Daniel Dugina, Executive Director Developments VIC, SA and WA, Lendlease

This commitment to customer satisfaction is rooted in a deep understanding of what residents value in their living environments, including the integration of technology, connection to the environment and community, and sustainable practices that cater to a modern lifestyle.

 Image

“We collaborate with renowned architects and designers known for their high-quality and luxurious designs. Our philosophy is not about following trends but creating timelessenduring aesthetics that will remain appealing for years to come, regardless of current fashions.”

–John Taylor, Head of Product and Design, explains how Lendlease partners with world-class architects to create apartment designs that meet a range of competing requirements.

“We certainly look at design trends, but our overriding focus and philosophy is to design apartments that are timeless in nature and specific to the vernacular of the precinct. Take, for example, our Collins Wharf project in Melbourne; it is marine-centric as it’s on the water’s edge. Gurrowa Place is in the city, so it’s urban.”

Partnering with leading architects enables our team to surpass customer expectations. Not only are our luxury apartments beautiful – they are also practical, paying particular attention to customer concerns like storage.

“We’ve had feedback that people are happy to have a downsized apartment provided it has clever storage,” John says. “It’s the number one requirement.”

Lendlease’s apartment architectural styles also demonstrate the strategic use of space by reducing unnecessary hallways and dead spaces and featuring floor-to-ceiling glass to enhance natural light and optimise views.



“The design today needs to look good in the future too, which is why we choose materials and finishes that are timeless and sustainable.”



Lendlease’s architectural apartment design philosophy is a harmonious blend of aesthetic integrity, functional design and sustainable practices, making each apartment not just a place to live – but a place to live your best life.

Creative apartment design ideas: brilliant kitchens and living spaces

In the realm of modern apartment design, kitchen and living room designs must work together to create a cohesive space.

The kitchen becomes more than just a place for meal preparation; it serves as the heart of the home, seamlessly blending functionality with social interaction. John shares the considerations that go into designing kitchens for Lendlease apartments.

“In apartment kitchen design, we need to consider the kitchen not as a separate room but as a central hub that integrates with the living space. This demands not only a high level of space efficiency but also an aesthetic that complements the living area.”

This integration challenges Lendlease’s apartment designers to think creatively about using every square inch effectively. Unlike larger homes where kitchens can sprawl, apartment kitchen design ideas must centre around a compact floor plan that still accommodates for all essential functions. 



Stylish apartment kitchens design


John believes when it comes to apartment kitchen design, the key is in the details.

“We need to consider the flow of movement, the triangle of preparation – where you store your food, prepare your food and cook your food – and the integration of appliances in a way that enhances the overall usability of the space.

“Kitchens morph into the living room space with an island bench being a multi-purpose area where you can prepare, you can cook, you can have a laptop there. It’s always on show, so it’s very important to consider the details and fit-for-purpose materials. Storage is king. There is no wasted space at all. It has to be incredibly compact and incredibly efficient.”


Moreover, the kitchen’s visibility within the apartment adds another layer of complexity. John emphasises the popularity of butler’s kitchens, a feature of ultra-modern apartment design. A butler’s kitchen is a smaller, secondary kitchen that serves as an area where much of the meal preparation, cleaning and storage take place. This design feature helps to keep the main kitchen less cluttered and more presentable, especially when entertaining guests. It also assists in maintaining the clean lines and open feel of the main living space.

To stay ahead of emerging trends in kitchen design, John attends the EuroCucina trade show in Milan, Italy, each year. He recently observed two aesthetics emerging: a ‘thick field’ and a ‘thin field’.

“Benchtops are either super thick in natural stone, with a sort of chunky, solid feel, and you might have large appliances, big tapware and big handles. Then there’s the thin logic, which is a thinner porcelain benchtop with much finer detailing. We tend to take more of a thin aspect at Lendlease. But equally, our super-luxurious apartments have very thick, natural stone benchtops.

“Pre-etched stainless steel has had a resurgence as it doesn’t show scratches. Also, in regard to the tactility of surfaces, I’m seeing materials that people can touch and feel that have a texture, rather than plain polished chrome or a plain flat timber laminate.”



Smarter living spaces


Transitioning to the living space, John shares his insights into the apartment living room design strategies that maximise both functionality and comfort.

“Apartment living room design must consider proportion and layout to avoid the inefficiencies that can come with certain shapes, like square rooms,” he says.

Instead, Lendlease architects prioritise rectilinear layouts that naturally divide the space into functional zones, such as dining and sitting areas, which can be furnished effectively without wasting space.


Balconies

Smart apartment balcony design ideas are also an essential element of apartment living, especially in the post-COVID era, where people appreciate the value of outdoor space more than ever before. John details the ergonomic studies that guide the design of these spaces, ensuring they are large enough to be functional and protected from the elements at the same time. “We design balconies to enhance the living experience, offering residents a private outdoor area that feels like an extension of their living space,” he says. “It’s important that we tend to recess our balconies so there’s a high degree of protection from wind and rain. A lot of developers will actually have a projecting balcony, which is more exposed to the weather. We are very conscious of our balconies being usable all year round.”

Acoustics

Acoustics are often a concern for apartment dwellers. To minimise sound transmission between apartments, a butterfly apartment plan is sometimes used, with bedroom or living room locations mirrored in adjoining apartments. “Noise comes up as a potential pain point and people worry about the neighbours,” John says. “We comply with the Building Code of Australia, which has a very high rating. We haven’t had any issues with acoustics on our projects. “We try to mirror the same use as the apartment next door. So we’d have bedroom to bedroom or living room to living room, where the same use during the day or night is matched. “We’re also conscious of where a lift core is behind an apartment,” John says. “So there’s less noise transfer from the lift to the apartment directly behind it.”

Privacy

In designing apartment interiors, the focus is on creating living spaces that meet a variety of needs and optimise privacy. Bedrooms are strategically placed at opposite ends or in separate zones to accommodate different living arrangements, such as families or professional roommates, ensuring privacy and comfort. “In an urban environment, we’re conscious of the proximity of another building,” John says. “So my team will specifically orient a bedroom away from another apartment if we can. We walk through that apartment as if we’re living there. If I’m lying in bed, what am I looking at? We will flip the apartment plan if we think we’ve got a privacy compromise with another apartment building in close proximity.”

Flexibility

“Quite often, the second or third bedroom is now a study or a small gym,” John says. So “we’re aware of making sure the spaces are flexible so that you can work in the living room and not feel you’re imposing on anybody else in that unit.” Apartment living room design is balanced with bedroom design in size to avoid hierarchy, promoting equal comfort for all occupants. Additional features like study nooks offer a place to work or sit and chat with someone making a meal in the kitchen.

Views

While optimising space, acoustics and privacy is important, many people would agree that when it comes to life in a high-rise apartment, the views take centre stage. Daniel adds, “We design our apartments to respond to the environment. So we maximise key view lines to beautiful views, whether that’s icons like the Sydney Harbour Bridge or the Opera House or water views and park views. We make sure the design responds to the environment and that we get the right cross ventilation coming through, so you’re getting fresh air into the apartment as well.”

Ultra-modern apartment design: future-proofed, sustainable and healthy

Sustainability underpins everything we do at Lendlease. We anticipate and integrate future living trends into all our apartment designs and ensure that our apartments are environmentally sustainable from day one. We target 5-star Green Star ratings and 7.5 stars in the NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme), and we’ve worked hard to establish a green supply chain for sustainable building materials and energy-efficient appliances.

We incorporate the latest materials into our projects, such as advanced porcelains and recycled materials, which offer durability and aesthetic value while meeting all safety standards. 

Our designs accommodate emerging tech and lifestyle movements, such as the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs). Daniel elaborates on the infrastructure in place to support this shift: “Our new developments are equipped with EV charging stations, and we design our parking facilities to be adaptable for future advancements in EV technology.”

We also embed technology throughout apartment buildings to prepare for future shifts.

Card - Waterfront 2 Bed.jpg


“Our designs are future-proof, integrating technology that enhances connectivity and functionality within our living spaces,” Daniel says.  



This includes smart home technology that allows residents to control various aspects of their apartment environment – from lighting to climate control – directly from their smartphones, enhancing both convenience and energy efficiency.

The adoption of smart technology extends beyond individual apartments. At Lendlease, we choose to incorporate building-wide systems that improve security and community interaction, such as access controls operable from a phone and community boards for residents to connect and communicate. “It’s about creating an integrated ecosystem within each development,” Daniel explains.



Wellness where you live

Wellness spaces within our properties reflect another significant trend. The demand for these facilities has grown, particularly in the post-COVID era, as people place greater emphasis on health and wellbeing and crave a connection to the surrounding environment. We respond to this by incorporating state-of-the-art wellness centres and outdoor spaces that promote physical and mental health. 

“We’re seeing a demand for fitness centres and wellness areas that provide a comprehensive health experience,” says John. This holistic approach extends to the air that residents breathe. “Given the focus on health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we have placed an increased emphasis on indoor air quality,” Daniel adds.

Features like enhanced ventilation systems and the option for advanced air purification methods ensure that the living environment remains safe and healthy.


Apartment design that makes smart and sustainable living achievable

At Lendlease Apartments, we understand how the layout of an apartment makes all the difference to how enjoyable it is to live in. That’s why we embrace a forward-thinking approach in our apartment architecture design and philosophy that covers every aspect of living – from the functional and aesthetic to the environmental and technological. We not only create beautiful spaces that are beautiful on the inside – they also look impressive on the outside. 

Our apartment buildings are equipped for the future and enhance the quality of life for our communities, making our developments synonymous with innovation and sustainable living. By focusing on customer-led solutions that enhance functionality, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility, Lendlease sets new standards in sophisticated apartment living.