Glasshouse by Spyre
Unsurpassed luxury is contained within a crystalline envelope of curved glass in this iconic Burleigh Heads development by Spyre.
Towering walls of fluted glass and soft curves like wind-sculpted dunes pay tribute to the prized coastal location of this development, an instant icon for the enclave of Burleigh Hill on the Gold Coast.
An established leader in luxury developments, Spyre has delivered a legacy project, which displays the innovative approach of the company and generates justifiable excitement over what game-changing and district-defining projects it might produce next.
Designed by Brisbane-based practice bureau^proberts, Glasshouse comprises two bespoke residences that balance stand-out luxury with respectful integration with the environment. The exceptional nature of the design was reflected in its subsequent demand, shattering sales records with the highest off-the-plan sale price in Queensland – $24 million for each residence.
The design is both bold and subtly responsive to the site. “It presents the user with open, inviting and private realms that draw distinctive parallels to the variety of experiences of the headland,” says bureau^proberts partner Dan Liddy. The expanses of fluted glass are the buildings’ defining feature, echoing the rolling rhythm of ocean waves and offering a diverse experience of the build both inside and out.
“The glass has dual purpose,” says Liddy. “Views to the interior from outside are distorted by the refraction of the concave glass forms while, from the inside, the glazing seemingly dissolves to create a direct connection with the headland and ocean. This offers residents the experience of viewing the landscape with minimal visual disruption and maximum atmospheric impact while maintaining a sense of privacy and peace.”
Spyre’s commitment to bold design is clearly articulated by this pioneering use of glass in a residential context; the design incorporates commercial-grade curved glass to a jaw-dropping height of more than three metres. The developer worked with G.James and Northey Consulting Engineers to realise this glass vision. Thematically, the interiors reflect the headland. The most dramatic example of nature-inspired form is seen in the kitchen, with its sculptural use of Fior di Bosco marble, which moves between smooth and irregular forms, like the water-scoured Burleigh basalt. The bathrooms draw from a softer aspect of the landscape, capturing a spa-style calm. “They are suspended between the luxury of an adorned interior and the wonder of the garden. Organic forms and micro-gardens bring life to these meditative spaces.”
This softness continues in the stunning terraced areas, designed by landscape architect CUSP, where contoured pools and garden beds reflect the curves of the headland. Glasshouse sets an exciting precedent for the future of Spyre’s developments, showing the company’s courage to cut a path through unchartered architectural territory. “It exemplifies the lengths we will go to to produce what we believe is the best design outcome for a project,” says Daniel Laruccia, Spyre’s founding director. “The development sets an unprecedented benchmark for both design and delivery.” The project also illustrates Spyre’s ability to push the boundaries, delivering next-level liveable luxury. It’s a stunning harbinger of what is to come. For Laruccia and his team, that means continuing the group’s pursuit of elevated living at Australia’s best addresses. “Whether this is an ultra-boutique product or a larger-scale high-rise, all will feature our touch of mastery.”
