Design

Chatswood Golf and Leisure

Golf, leisure, and later living in Chatswood

Where Chatswood, Sydney, Australia
Value $110m
Solution Golf, leisure, and later living in Chatswood
Client Watermark Living

Project objective 

This unique project involved developing a contemporary seniors’ living precinct and new golf clubhouse allowing the club to provide its members with modern facilities and assisting in future-proofing the club’s long-term revenue.

Client challenge 

The local planning controls restricted site yield and initially reduced the opportunity for a design solution that took advantage of the outlook and amenity for the proposed apartments. An additional challenge was to minimise the possible impact on neighbouring residents to facilitate a smooth approval process through state planning and the local council.

Life3A solution 

Rather than two rows of lower-form buildings, the apartment building was consolidated into a 5-storey form that follows the natural escarpment on the site providing all apartments with spectacular golf course views. In addition, the revised form and narrowing of the building footprint to follow the natural escarpment on the site resulted in a natural and generous setback between the building and the existing neighbouring residents.

Exceptional outcome 

The project was approved in July 2021 with minimal changes to the design. Given the potential for difficulties with the approval process, the sound urban design strategy adopted for the project proved convincing to the authorities and independent approval panel despite significant opposition from local residents.

For more information

Steve Zappia

Founding Director and CEO

Contact Steve Zappia