Canal Housing Development, Ephraim Island, Gold Coast, Australia

A resurgent Australian Gold Coast appears to be bursting with the upwardly mobile. Among the best residential developments is the $545 million Ephraim Island. The 12 hectare island has been converted by Mirvac Developers architectural arm, HPA, into a sequence of classy, light-filled apartments and pavilions by the water’s edge.

Villas and Units are generously proportioned, with a strategy of using natural daylight throughout the interiors. Villas feature courtyards built around the idea of flexible walls where Pilkington EverGreen™ tinted glass significantly helps cut solar loads. The glass also provides an appealing aesthetic that contrasts plain white walls, natural materials and finishes.

A continuous glass façade was achieved through windows and sliding doors that could be opened regardless of wind direction and weather. They are characterised by full-height glazing with electronically controlled glass louvres on the west-facing side of the building.

Rising to the challenge of finding a point of differentiation, the designs incorporate some very clever material selections. The ensuite walls for example, made completely from 6 mm Pilkington Texture Glass (toughened for safety) not only allow natural light, to the bathrooms but as the walls are thin some valuable wall space over tradition solid walls is saved.

Ephraim Island’s main appeal is a standard of architecture previously unavailable on this scale in this part of the world, together with pleasant, elegant, light interiors.