Canaletto

UNStudio's design for the Canaletto residential tower
incorporates the remodeling of the facade, a streamlining
of the building’s mass and a contrasting of scale and
detail untypical of a residential tower. The façade for the
Canaletto tower was designed to emphasise its residential
character.

In UNStudio’s design, townscape views are enhanced
through scale, detail, and material variation. The building
facade creates a modeled elevation in which clusters of
adjacent floors are grouped together. Contrasting
materials are employed within each grouping, where
the 'outer' metallic element is complemented by an 'inner'
use of textured materials. Throughout the building the
cluster concept of the facade is designed to maximise
transparency and frame the views towards the sky,
lending the tower a more nuanced silhouette.

The materialisation of the facade draws from examples of
detailing and the contrasting of materials that is readily
expressed in product or furniture design. The modelling
of the balconies within each grouped cluster lends
variability to the facade and the living experience for the
residents in the building. The attention to creating
unique, sheltered spaces of high quality was a driver in
early design development. The aspect of using both
textured and smooth materials contrasts with the
expected contemporariness of a typical high-rise metal
construction and lends this facade a residential 'twist.'

The elevation offers sustainability benefits. The surface
modelling creates opportunities for shading, balancing
good internal daylight and views with reduced heat gains.
The articulation of the façade will additionally reduce
wind down drafts and, in combination with canopy
proposals at the base of the building, provide an
improved pedestrian microclimate. A landscaped garden
on Wharf Road provides access to the residential lobby,
whilst the ground floor garden provides an attractive
entrance and a green oasis off the busy City Road.