Sarah Sands: Building on Tradition

Situated in Melbourne’s inner city and historic suburb of Brunswick, the new Sarah Sands project showcases the Capral systems that feature in this innovative and environmentally sensitive luxury development.

Jackson Clements Burrows Architects (JCB), the architect and interior designer for the project, are driven by core design principles that allow them to explore each new project afresh and an approach that is site sensitive, engaged with local climatic conditions and adaptive to contextual opportunities. This is exemplified in Sarah Sands, with its site sensitive design and interaction with the local neighbourhood and community.

The Sarah Sands Apartments comprise 31 bespoke 1, 2 and 3 bedroom residences, providing a stylish sanctuary just minutes from the bustling heart of Melbourne. The apartments have been carefully integrated with the historic Sarah Sands Hotel – a Brunswick landmark since its establishment in 1854, standing proudly at the edge of the city as a gateway to vibrant Sydney Road.

JCB has crafted a contemporary addition to the historic hotel that considers the existing building’s venerable history while responding to occupant requirements.

Rising respectfully behind the historic hotel, the architectural form of Sarah Sands Apartments has been designed to complement Sarah Sands’ heritage character and the surrounding Brunswick neighbourhood, while providing residents with peaceful seclusion and serene city views.

The Capral commercial framing systems specified in the new building feature dark metallic fins and transparent glazing, juxtaposing brighter accents in each of the balconies to add an understated lustre to the exterior. By night, Sarah Sands glows softly in the dark, with the unobtrusive Capral systems adding to the subtle effect.

The design features and capabilities of the Capral systems used for Sarah Sands make them ideal for such a unique and historically sensitive undertaking. “The key to the Capral window suites we specified for the Sarah Sands project was their design flexibility,” confirms Matt Girvan, JCB Project Architect.

“Coupled with this was the ability to achieve large casement windows within the façade’s grid,” he continues. “As these Capral suites are locally manufactured and cost-effective, the product was a perfect fit for this project.”

On the upper levels, the master bedrooms are tranquil havens with floor-to-ceiling windows, carefully framed with Capral’s Commercial 425 Narrowline framing system. The minimalist framing ensures maximum light admission into each living space, coupled with impressive insulation properties, returning superior thermal performance demanded by the project.

The Capral systems installed throughout are key to meeting the project’s considerable thermal requirements. “The Sarah Sands Apartments achieved a NATHERS average rating of over 7 stars, with the glazing and window systems playing a critical role in this outcome,” Matt points out. “Given the high ratio of glazing featured within the façade, and being situated on a busy intersection, the specification called for high acoustic performance which was achieved by specifying Capral Flushline fixed glazing with casement windows.”

Capral’s emphasis on local manufacture has many advantages. “This factor influences our decision when specifying products,” Matt explains. “Being a design and construction contract, there is always the possibility of the builder looking to source cheaper imports as an alternative to our specified product. In this case, though, the builder stuck with our specified Capral systems, and we are pleased with that decision,” Matt reflects.

Capral’s ability to support this unique development and contribute to achieving positive environmental outcomes demonstrates the importance of specifying a quality system from a trusted supplier for each job, no matter how challenging or complex. 

Products Featured | AGS Commercial 900 Series Sliding Door | AGS Commercial 425 Narrowline Double Glazed Framing System | AGS Commercial 419 Flushline Framing System

Project Credits | Developer: Peregrine Projects | Architect: Jackson Clements Burrows Architects | Builder: Kapitol | Fabricator: Fenestrate | Photography: Gollings Photography