THE BULIMBA FLATIRON SITE

The vision for Bhode was to create a landmark building that would serve as a welcoming beacon for the suburb and set the tone for Oxford Street. The design was to establish Bhode as a point of arrival, embodying the presence of an obelisk within the urban landscape. A key part of the brief was ensuring the building’s interaction with the surrounding pedestrian flows, promoting ease of movement and connectivity for the community.

The design approach was driven by an immediate response to the two pedestrian crossings that frame the site’s northern tip. We envisioned the space as a pedestrian-friendly passage, allowing people to traverse the site and creating a seamless integration with the surrounding foot traffic. At this juncture, a public lobby was designed as the core of the site, serving as an entryway to the residential lobby for the building’s 13 apartments, a ground-floor café, and public lift access to a rooftop terrace.

A defining feature of Bhode is the corner at the flatiron’s tip, where an organic, veiled garden tower rises, facing the roundabout. This structure, with a green lattice of vegetation, acts as a beacon and a soft landmark, where gentle lighting permeates through, giving the impression of a living art piece at the intersection.

To the south, the building’s remaining three levels adopt a rhythmic, scalloped façade, with each apartment extending outward like the traditional verandas of a Queenslander home. This rhythmic design reflects the local architectural heritage while creating a welcoming, layered texture along the streetscape.

Crowning the building is a public rooftop terrace that offers sweeping city views, providing a shared space for residents and visitors alike. This open rooftop enhances Bhode's role as a community asset, offering an inclusive space for all to enjoy, further solidifying its place as a modern landmark and gathering point for Bulimba.