302/33 Epsom Road

Rosebery NSW 2018

The curvaceous six-storey 'Coda' is also very different on the inside. All 44 apartments are two storeys with soaring ceilings, dramatic voids and flexible spaces that allow privacy between the living areas and sleeping quarters, and provide better natural light and ventilation.

For Stanisic, life on one level is too boring.

'Coda' builds on the sustainable design principles of nearby Green Square, which Stanisic master-planned, and which foreshadowed the focus on climate change. Exterior colours are brown, grey and pewter, creating a dramatic silhouette against the sky. The darker colours also reduce glare to the interiors and provide a soft and relaxed atmosphere.

Each apartment is designed for maximum operability, with sliding aluminium plantation shutters and folding glass windows giving occupants the option of changing the interior mood by adjusting levels of light, sun and privacy. The banks of shutters help keep the apartments cool in summer, while the glass panels retain warmth in winter.

"I wanted to create an uplifting experience for occupants and passers-by - a living environment brimming with light, air and sun," Stanisic said. "As residents modify the shutters it gives 'Coda' an ever-changing external appearance."

All apartments at 'Coda' run the full width of the building and have both north and south-facing aspects, gaining views to the CBD and to Botany Bay. Because the apartments are naturally cross-ventilated there is no need for air-conditioning.

The environmental features also have a financial benefit, with strata levies at 'Coda' a low $450 per quarter, on average, which is less than half that of other new apartment buildings in the area.

"Sydneysiders are design-smart, so at 'Coda' I avoided standard blade walls, grid patterns and 'fruit salad' rendered facades," said Stanisic. "Our materials are raw yet refined, paying homage to Rosebery's working-class roots. They give the building a different texture, reflective elements and points of emphasis."

Stanisic says the apartments are a modern version of the classic Sydney terrace, but with larger, more practical rooms and an edgy New York industrial feel.

The kitchen, laundry, living and dining areas, and a loggia are on the lower level, with the bedrooms, bathrooms, study and another loggia upstairs. Staircases have timber and metal open slats to further enhance the airy interiors, which receive natural light from at least two faces.

Loggias have timber flooring and sliding glass screens that are an extension of the living areas and 'connect' with the outside environment without compromising privacy. They are adaptable, useable spaces where people can relax, read, exercise, eat, drink and enjoy the view, or they can be closed off and used as an office or another bedroom.

Apartments at 'Coda' are up to 25% larger than prevailing Sydney standards. The one-bedrooms are 83sqm and start from $429,000. They have cathedral-like ceilings, with a loft bedroom looking over the living areas, and a study facing the landscaped courtyard to the south.

The two-bedroom apartments are 107sqm and start from $599,000. They have timber-decked balconies on each level.

The sky terraces nestle under the floating wing-like roof. "There is an extraordinary amount of external open space in these apartments - almost equal to the internal area," said Stanisic. "It makes them suitable for families as it provides 'elbow room' for the kids and breathing space for the parents."

Kitchens are streamlined and functional, with a practical stone island bench containing a double sink, sleek polyurethane cabinets and joinery, and Smeg appliances. Bathrooms incorporate white gloss floor and wall tiles, high-quality matt mosaic feature tiles for the splashbacks, stone square-edged benchtops, sizeable cupboards, Duravit fixtures and frameless glass shower and bath screens.

The sky terraces have 'Bianca Joia' marble benchtops and bathroom walls.

The principal of Infinity Property Agents, Michael Kurosawa, says the 'Coda' terrace apartments appeal to people seeking smart, urban living. He regards Rosebery as an ideal base for workers, being near large-scale employer groups such as the airport and hospitals, and within 800 metres of Green Square Railway Station. Students are equally well catered for by the University of NSW, Sydney University, UTS, Sydney Tech, the National Institute of Dramatic Art and private colleges.

"Rosebery is close to many of Sydney's best recreational attractions, such as our top golf courses, Randwick Racecourse, and our world famous beaches, including Bondi, Bronte and Coogee," Mr Kurosawa said.

"Most things you want are within walking distance, including restaurants, theatres, boutiques, galleries, parks and sporting amenities, while shopping facilities are constantly being added. A bonus for 'Coda' residents are the six shops on the ground floor of the building."