Bulum Rethinks ‘Bus Shelter’ Design for Canberra Towers
ACT-based developer Bulum Group has reworked plans for its refused apartment scheme in the centre of Canberra.
The fresh plans for the 14 and 15-storey scheme have dropped the colour scheme of the planned facade after that drew criticism from the National Capital Design Review Panel.
The original design was by Melbourne-based KUD architects (pictured above) while the redesign is by Canberra-based Turco and Associates.
The proposal comprises 155 apartments across the two towers, a ground-level commercial component and five levels of basement parking.
The initial application was filed in December 2023 and refused a year later. The government said the plans were “confusing” and not consistent with the area around the site at City Hill, among other reasons.
“This (location’s) group of 1960s and ’70s modernist buildings are recognised for their cohesiveness and simple forms while being individually distinctive,” the review panel said in its refusal of the initial proposal.
“The supporting design report indicates the design inspiration was instead drawn from Canberra bus shelters rather than the surrounding context.
“This has resulted in what is considered to be a confusing architectural response that does not respond to the development’s immediate surroundings.”
The site is across three lots with a combined 2421sq m area and would replace two commercial buildings at 28 Marcus Clarke Street.
Revisions made to the original plans include increasing the buildings’ heights, adding a rooftop garden, changing the apartment mix, and changing the facade design and ground-floor level to accommodate pedestrians.
Canberra City Centre planning principles suggest new developments should continue to reflect the geometry and fine-grain pattern of the streets with a “recognisable city edge”.
The Bulum proposal is on notification with the ACT Government until December 17.
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