How the Sunshine Coast apartment development, Seasons Birtinya, was designed: Five minutes with Cottee Parker's Sandra Browne

Seasons Birtinya, on the Sunshine Coast, has proved to be popular with all demographics, as Cube, one of the area's most well-regarded developments, put together a development which was both design driven and price led.

Cube had their go-to architecture firm, Cottee Parker Architects, who have designed the developer's most high end stock in the area, create Seasons, with the overarching design principles to connect residents to the local community and to differentiate the design from its neighbours.

Priced from $499,000, the apartments have been a hit with first home buyers, local and interstate investors, as well as downsizers.

Urban recently spoke to Sandra Browne, director at Cottee Parker, to discuss the design ideas behind Seasons.

JR: What was the brief from Cube for Seasons? What were the key features that were essential? ​

SB: The brief was to create a unique and elevated 'Work Rest Play' environment in response to the post COVID lifestyle shift, with leading amenity for the Sunshine Coast.

JR: Was there a project that inspired you in the design?

SB: We initially drew inspiration from some inner-city Melbourne projects, and then evolved and adapted these to speak to the Sunshine Coast lifestyle - with a point of difference being an enormous amount of amenity to take advantage of the weather, the adventure and a sense of health and wellbeing.

JR: What were the most important features of the site/location which influenced your design?

SB: Its position on Lake Ka​wana alongside the ocean and hinterland views - these factors heavily influenced the design and vision which ultimately culminated in in utilising lots of natural light and in building three individual towers with central cores.

JR: What was the biggest challenge in the design of Seasons?

SB: The unique shape of the site and balance area left over from Stage 1 proved a challenge when placing amenity destinations throughout the common areas.

JR: How do you approach designing a three-tower development?

We engaged Cottee Parker architects to ensure our building design captured all views on offer with lots of natural light as well as appealing to a variety of purchasers through the right apartment mix.

JR: What part of the design are you most proud of/ most looking forward to seeing when the towers are completed?

SB: Looking forward to seeing the terrace apartments of Stage One as well as seeing the three apartment towers work together as an integrated precinct.