LUA
SHOP, WORK & PLAY
LUA {Derived from the traditional name, Toogoolawah} is situated on the southern side of Oxford Street in Bulimba. This expansive site encompasses an entire city block and was previously home to the beloved Riverbend Books, a 1980s brick walk-up housing complex, and an array of restaurants and professional service outlets.
Along the Oxford Street-facing portion of the property, you'll find a pedestrian crossing, a line of mature street trees, and a new urban revitalization project characterized by lamp posts inspired by magpies, paying homage to Bulimba's traditional namesake, the Magpie Lark.
In late 2019, our office was apprised of an opportunity sought by Harris Farm Markets in Bulimba, among other nearby locations. Given its proximity to our offices, we've been collaborating with local developers to identify the ideal site for accommodating this endeavor. LUA emerged as the perfect landholding to facilitate the establishment of the markets while seamlessly integrating with other compatible uses within the site's planning framework.
Our design approach for LUA centers on a holistic urban rejuvenation project aimed at breathing new life into the Oxford Street village, refreshing its aesthetic appeal. The three-story mixed-use building occupies the entire Oxford Street frontage, with a suspended concrete awning serving as both a functional and aesthetic enhancement for passersby and visitors on foot.
Voids thoughtfully punctuate the awning, creating visual connections to the building's upper levels while aligning with a structural rhythm that extends into the ground plane below. On the ground floor, this rhythmic pattern is translated into shopfront glazing, verdant gardens, and the entrance to an internal laneway.
The internal laneway serves as a crucial linkage, seamlessly connecting the ground level with the upper floors of the building, and aligning harmoniously with the pedestrian crossing on Oxford Street. Meandering along this laneway, one can explore various options, including access to Harris Farm, the inviting ground floor cafe, or the lift lobby, all thoughtfully integrated to enhance the overall user experience.
As you ascend the building, the commercial tenancies above offer a delightful surprise—a communal terrace that extends outward, providing a vista of Oxford Street. This terrace offers a welcome respite from the interior workspaces, encouraging moments of relaxation and social interaction. Here, the distinctive grid motif takes center stage, with sloped buttresses descending into the building's core, artfully supporting suspended planter boxes that add a touch of greenery and softness to the otherwise monolithic structure.
LUA marries form and function, creating a dynamic and inviting space that reinvigorates the Oxford Street village, transforming it into a vibrant hub where community, commerce, and the spirit of Bulimba converge.
