voyager, yarra's edge
At over 133m high, Voyager is currently the tallest building in Mirvac’s Yarra’s Edge Precinct and the tallest residential tower Mirvac has ever built in Melbourne to date. Set over 43 levels with 310 apartments, this landmark building stands as a shimmering copper entry beacon at the gateway of the CBD for anyone travelling via Bolte Bridge.
On the western end of Yarra’s Edge, Mirvac’s award-winning waterfront community which has been evolving for more than 20 years, Voyager is the second tower to be built in the Wharfs Entrance Precinct, which also includes Forge, Wharfside Residences and the Wharf Club.
Mirvac Design’s concept comprises an asymmetrical elliptical glazed tower over a richly articulated podium. The tower podium interface is mediated with a 2 story “neck” defining and smoothing the transition between the two elements. A skin of randomised white precast concrete panels wraps the podium façade The organic forms of the tower are picked up in the podium with curved corners and openings to all four elevations. This carries the modulation and proportions of the residential component onto the carpark façade creating a common language between the apartments and carpark at the podium level. All facades of the podium are wrapped with residences to further address and activate the streetscape .
The glazed materiality of the tower is brought down into the podium interlocking with the white precast façade articulation for a strong, singular statement of form and material. The choice of glass was critical to achieving the desired effect for this building with the project team reviewing more than 40 glass samples before selecting what was to be finally used on the building. The glazing is highly reflective, this combined with the curvilinear form create reflections of the surrounds and sky pixelating when viewed from a distance creating a constantly changing visual landscape. The warm copper colour of the glass contrasts with the cool glass of the adjacent Forge tower Providing Voyager with its distinct identity.
Residential amenity has been provided on 2 levels each with a different character and purpose.
The Level 1 lobby is more contemplative and has been designed as the ‘lounge room’ of the building. It acts a luxurious retreat where residents can read at the book bar or relax near the fireplace and enjoy the view of the park next door. This area also features an exhibition space for local artists to display their work.
On Level 43 is the ‘Sky Deck’, the first rooftop lifestyle space in the precinct where residents can socialise and enjoy the remarkable vistas of the city skyline, over Yarra River and across to Port Phillip Bay and beyond. It is conceived as more of an active social series of interconnected spaces. Ribbon-like walls weave seamlessly through uninterrupted spaces housing a bookable private dining room and kitchen, bar, lounge area, theatre and karaoke room. Outside there’s a roof garden with climbers growing over steel trusses and trellises, integrating a yoga lawn, firepit and barbecue area.
The design of these spaces are sinuous and organic taking cues from the external architecture for a wholistic composition and experience at both an urban and personal scale.