Situated in the social hub of South Brisbane and designed by internationally acclaimed Koichi Takada Architects, Upper House is a 5 Star Green Star rated multi-residential tower that is inviting a new way of inhabiting cities.

From its dramatic architectural design inspired by the towering Queensland Moreton Bay fig tree to its dancing balconies, Upper House is a beacon of modern design ethos - a place where a connection to nature, wellbeing and environmental excellence aligns symbiotically to the sustainable vertical living design.

The 33-storey building is home to 188 apartments and punctuated by a five-story tall body of art by Australian artist Judy Watson. Titled Bloodlines weaving string and water, 2023, the external artwork serves as a cultural narrative through its perforated metal, folded and backlit artwork. It acknowledges the Turrbal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the project is built. With its striking exterior that can be interpreted as the Moreton Bay tree roots framing the building, and extensive canopy curling around the roof, it’s a building that celebrates the natural world, while treading lightly on it.

Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council, says the design and sustainable features of the 5 Star Green Star rated residential tower, along with the commitment to deliver homes designed for energy efficiency and resiliency, should be applauded.

“Upper House represents Australian excellence in sustainable design - a vision of sustainable urban living with high quality apartments designed for efficiency, healthy living, and low emissions. They represent a future where apartment living is climate-resilient and comfortable, without sacrificing performance or architectural design,”

Urban, high-rise living can sometimes have a feeling of disconnect from community and nature – a far cry from the classic suburban living design so often associated with Australia.

But according to architect Koichi Takada, the space was designed to bring people together.

“High-rise living can sometimes feel isolating, but we’ve designed spaces to bring people together and foster community. For example, on the rooftop, we created inviting amenities where residents can meet, relax, and socialise. It’s like a shelter in the sky—a place where you’re encouraged to interact with your neighbours. When people love a space, they’ll not only enjoy it today but pass it on to future generations. That’s true sustainability,” explains Takada.

What makes Upper House sustainable

For Aria’s Development Manager, Michael Hurley, the decision to go for the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star certification, Australia’s only national, voluntary holistic rating system for buildings and communities, was about creating something we could be proud of.

“Our guiding principle is to create residential and retail spaces that we’ll be proud to walk past with our families in 20 years.

“We also want to be proud of the decisions we’ve made during the construction, ensuring they consider our future generations.

“Upper House is fortunate to be developed within Brisbane City Council which supports well-designed, green and energy efficient buildings. Their ‘Brisbane Green Building Incentive Policy’ assisted in offsetting the substantial investment in capital to achieve Green Star”, says Hurley.

The team behind Upper House designed and built with best practise sustainability in mind, and in doing so focused on a series of key areas, including water, emissions, energy, transport, land use & ecology, materials, and indoor environment quality (IEQ).

Land Use & Ecology

Upper House, which was previously an entirely hardstand site, has been transformed to maximise green space and environmental sustainability, with greenery enhancing the ecological value of the site through native plants and indigenous landscaping. The site's ecological value increased 100-fold through extensive landscaping, shading, and water elements covering 75% of the area, mitigating the urban heat-island effect.

Materials

The materials we choose have an impact the environment at every stage of the building, and the materials, lifespan. For this reason, responsible material selection and responsible waste management are two of the key areas targeting reduced carbon emissions and the driving down the high percentage of waste the construction and demolition contributes to – which sits at 40% of all waste in Australia.

All building materials went through an assessment for environmental impact throughout their lifespan, ensuring sustainability.

During construction and demolition, 93.4% of waste generated was diverted from landfill, with 2,141,882kg recycled. Since completing construction, the team has engaged in monthly waste reporting to ensure implementation of waste initiatives.

The team behind Upper House worked to reduce CO2 emissions, and in doing so demonstrated significant improvements in CO2 emissions compared to reference projects. Aided by solar panels, CO2 emissions dropped by 21%, and fossil fuel consumption decreased by 19%.

The building was also constructed using responsible and sustainable materials all verified by third-party certifications. Green Concrete was used, as well was recycled water and aggregate. “Fly ash”, a by-product of coal combustion in power stations, serves as a binding agent supplementing 30% of the concrete use on this project.

Indoor Environment Quality

When it comes to sustainable buildings, the indoor environment quality including thermal comfort, indoor air quality and indoor pollutants come into play.

 Harmful pollutants were minimised at Upper House through the careful selection of low-VOC paints, adhesives, sealants, and carpets. This approach reduced volatile organic compound emissions by 95%, greatly improving indoor air quality and occupant wellbeing.

The apartments feature comprehensive acoustic insulation which encompasses the apartment windows, walls, ceilings and floors which effectively minimises both internal and external noise disturbances for the comfort of both residents and neighbours.

Along with the thermal comfort, the apartments include excellent energy efficiency with an average NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) rating of 8.4 stars, surpassing best practise standards, while the 3.0m high ceilings and extensive double-glazed glass optimises natural light and minimises the need for air conditioning.

For Hurley, the certification is a result of staying aligned to sustainability goals and not cutting corners – ultimately achieved through clear reporting and communication with the entire team involved from subcontractors to consultants. It was also a project made with a dedication to pushing boundaries, embracing organic, living elements that you don’t typically find in high-rise buildings.

“The journey of Upper House, 5 Star Green Star took over three years of dedication, perseverance, and a substantial investment in capital. When we finally received the 5 Star Green Star Design and As Built rating, it was a huge relief and a moment of immense pride.

Furthermore, knowing the residents of Upper House will experience the long-term benefits of the decisions we made as a collective team is incredibly rewarding,” says Hurley.

Green Star certification not only delivers environmental excellence but also creates healthier, more connected, and resilient communities. We invite developers, architects, and policymakers to follow Upper House’s lead and join us in shaping a sustainable future for urban living. Together, we can create a legacy of buildings that inspire, endure, and tread lightly on the planet.