Influential architect Koichi Takada transforming Sydney apartment scene

One of the most influential architects in Sydney, Koichi Takada, is transforming the city's apartment scene with his love of nature and culture.

Founded in 2008, Koichi Takada Architects has an array of projects under its belt. A key theme for Takada is to reintroduce nature to cities.

“We continually see the destruction of the natural environment, and more and more we see the potential in architecture to become a platform to rectify this,” Takada says.

Koichi Takada was appointed to design a penthouse in the Victoria Park residential estate Apex, four-kilometres from the Sydney CBD.

Developed by Payce, Apex offers 153 one-, two- and three bedroom apartments – some of which are two-storeys.

The three-bedroom Takada-designed penthouse set a new price record of $1.3 million for Victoria Park.

The 142-square-metre apartment boasts full-height glass doors and windows, offering the apartment all day sunlight.

The designer kitchen is equipped with Miele appliances and solid stone bench tops and mirrored splashbacks.

Residents of APEX have use of a 400-square metre rooftop garden terrace equipped with an outdoor cinema.

The sale by Martin Property Zetland means all 153 apartments in APEX have been sold.

“The escape to a beautiful waterfront, a park or a garden, and away from the concrete jungle becomes an important retreat in people’s routines,” says Takada.

Koichi Takada blends the traditions of his homeland Japan with today’s flowing forms – an approach he developed in New York, London and Tokyo.

He has won an international property council award and his projects have been featured in magazines such as Vogue living, Bell and Inside.

Takada has also been appointed to design apartment interiors for the new and final apartment development at Victoria Park, Platinum.

Takada will use three schemes, including Pearl – inspired by the Whitsundays – Sahara – inspired by the colours of Morocco and Ebony – inspired by the jet-black remnants of Hawaii’s volcano’s.

“The colours, textures and contrasts take you to an out-of-world place, an escape as enticing and beautiful as a fashion label,” says Takada.

“Silver, bronze and grey mirrored surfaces provide a wow factor worthy of the brand Platinum.”

Platinum will comprise five buildings, ranging from six to 15 storeys.

One of the buildings reflects the colours of the park opposite it, while another is inspired by the sunset.

Another building is inlaid with golden jewels and topped with a penthouse crown.

Located on Hutchison Walk, 90% of the apartments at Platinum have leafy vistas.

Only four apartments out of 322 are still available for purchase.

Takada has also designed two, two-bedroom apartments within the new development One Central Park (pictured below) in Sydney’s Broadway. Koichi Takada set about creating a homely feel in the east tower of One Central Park the project at Broadway in Sydney by Frasers Property inpartnership with Sekesui House.

Due for completion in 2013, Koichi Takada’s ‘raw organics’ apartments boast a mixture of hammered stone, linen and woven grasses.

Jean Nouvel and PTW Architects have designed the building’s façade with a collection of vertical gardens, reminding us that nature can thrive in the city.

Koichi Takada’s other projects include Canberra Wave Gardens, Sails at Revy Darling Island, St Margarets in Surry Hills and the Silhouette House at Northern Beaches.

Sky by Crown is another upcoming by Koichi Takada. Its a North Sydney residential highrise set for 2013 marketing.

The Crown Group recently finalised the purchase of the Pacific Highway North Sydney site for $26 million with plans to build a 19-level apartment tower.

The 211-223 Pacific Highway site is set to have 230 apartments.

Work on the tower could start mid 2013 if approvals are granted for the plan which comes with a spectacular infinity edge pool inspired by the vast “floating garden” pool in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Resort.

In early 2012 North Sydney Council resolved to forward a planning proposal for the site to the Department of Planning seeking a gateway determination.

The group currently has $2.5 billion worth of projects in the pipeline.

For more on the allure of Australian property to Asian buyers, download our free eBook. The eBook is also available for free download in Chinese.