Upper House: Redefining Vertical Living with Nature & Art

Highlights

Official Project Name: Upper House
Location: 66 Hope Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia
Client: Aria Property Group
Architects & Interior Designers: Koichi Takada Architects

Builder: Minicon
Building Type: Multi-Residential
Construction Cost: AUD$110M
Project Completion Date: October 2023

In South Brisbane’s thriving urban landscape, Koichi Takada Architects has set a new standard with Upper House, a 33-storey residential tower that challenges the conventions of high-density living. Celebrated for its blend of natural inspiration, community-focused design, and sustainability, Upper House redefines how architecture can balance luxury with environmental responsibility. The project’s conscious design choices and cultural integration make it more than just a building – it’s a statement about how cities should grow in harmony with nature.

Nature as Inspiration: A Building Rooted in Place

Upper House’s design draws directly from the native Moreton Bay Fig tree, a significant symbol of the local environment. The structure’s architectural “roots” are represented through its timber pergola and sweeping façade lines, creating a strong visual connection to the natural world. These curvaceous forms are more than aesthetic choices; they echo the organic flow of the fig tree’s buttress roots, grounding the building within Brisbane’s subtropical environment.

This nature-driven approach extends to the façade’s striking artwork, Bloodlines Weaving String and Water by Indigenous artist Judy Watson. This five-storey metal installation draws on Aboriginal cultural narratives and local history, using backlit perforated metal to bring ancient stories to life. The integration of this art adds depth and meaning, inviting residents and passersby to engage with Australia’s cultural heritage in a thoughtful and respectful manner.

A Community-Oriented Approach to High-Rise Living

One of the most significant shifts in Upper House is its focus on community and social connectivity. High-rise living is often criticized for isolating residents, but Upper House flips that narrative by fostering interaction through shared spaces. The rooftop is more than a viewing deck – it’s a tropical oasis complete with a double-storey Wellness Club, infinity pool, fitness center, yoga studio, and hospitality zones designed to build connections among residents.

The Upper Club, spanning the top floors, offers luxurious amenities like a lounge bar, private dining, a cinema, and work-from-home spaces. By prioritizing areas where people can gather and interact, the design breaks away from the often cold and impersonal nature of high-rise buildings, creating a vertical village with a sense of community at its heart.

Sustainability at Its Core: Beyond Green Building Standards

Upper House isn’t just green in name – it’s designed with robust sustainability principles that enhance both the building and its environment. With a 5-Star Green Star Rating and an impressive 8.4 NatHERS rating, the tower incorporates energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting, and renewable energy sources. Extensive use of recycled and third-party-verified sustainable materials underscores the building’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact.

One of the standout features is the 3,500+ plantings across the building, carefully chosen for their adaptability to the local climate. These native and tropical species create a resilient ecosystem that insulates the structure, reduces the heat island effect, and promotes biodiversity. By incorporating a 30kW solar system, electric vehicle charging stations, and a car-share fleet, Upper House encourages resource efficiency and responsible urban living.

Art, Architecture, and Legacy

Koichi Takada’s vision for Upper House extends beyond the material and into the cultural. The integration of First Nations art within the architecture exemplifies how buildings can tell stories and connect residents to the land they occupy. The building’s use of art as a dialogue with history sets a benchmark for how urban developments can respect and reflect cultural narratives.

This approach is already influencing future projects, such as the upcoming Urban Forest, another collaboration between Aria Property Group and Koichi Takada Architects. Set to be the world’s greenest residential building, Urban Forest will carry forward the ideals established by Upper House, highlighting a shift toward architecture that is both environmentally and culturally attuned.