As expectations for luxury residences continue to rise, what truly sets one offering apart from the rest? 

According to Kate Ockwell, Associate and interior design lead at Plus Architecture, the answer lies in wellness. Fast becoming a must-have in boutique residential design following a rise in popularity during the pandemic, Kate says the demand for exclusive health and wellness amenities is here to stay. 

“The ability to replicate premium health and wellness spaces at home through thoughtful design is what defines private residential oases that truly stand out in the market,” Kate says. 

Plus Architecture’s design for the Drift Residences, a collection of 50 boutique residences on the Gold Coast’s Main Beach, exemplifies this philosophy. A standout in the international architecture practice’s premium residential portfolio, every detail of Drift has been meticulously designed to curate an unparalleled, wellness-focussed way of living that befits the coastal location. 

"Our vision is most fully realised in Drift’s recreational areas, which include a private wellness sanctuary, the Wellbeing Centre. With exclusive access to these facilities, residents can indulge in the luxury of a spa experience in the comfort of their own home," Kate says. 

Creating luxurious wellness spaces demands a holistic approach attuned to the sensory experience. Kate highlights three principles driving Drift Residences' design: 

Materiality 

"We know residents expect quality textures and finishes. From the very start, our focus was providing an exquisite tactile experience," explains Kate. 

This approach yields spaces reminiscent of premier vacation destinations. The poolside walkways, clad in roughly textured paving, evoke the feeling of traversing over natural rock formations, akin to a secluded waterfall setting. 

Warm, natural materials and bespoke cladding immerse one in an organic environment, while plush upholstered furnishings and warm-toned treatment rooms create cozy sanctuaries supporting deep relaxation. 

Zoning 

Kate notes that thoughtfully considering how, and in which succession, spaces will be experienced has been pivotal: "Establishing thresholds and transitional zones is critical to creating areas of decompression.” 

At Drift Residences, this is exemplified by a sensory, arched entry passage residents transition through unveiling the Wellbeing Centre — an airy expanse suffused with ethereal natural light. A distinct shift in acoustics further denotes the transition, with the soothing murmurs of a cascading waterfall enveloping those who pause beneath its flow. The zones within the wellness precinct are carefully separated, ensuring each area is entered with purposeful intention. The secluded spa relaxation lounge, offering both private and communal treatment rooms, remains cloistered from the yoga deck, replete with sauna and steam rooms, which are in turn distanced from the pool facilities encompassing mineral pools, a cold plunge, and more. 

Incorporating nature 

Natural environments inherently engender cues for relaxation, nurturing our holistic well-being. 

"Throughout the design, we have curated an oasis of planting that thrives in tropical climes," says Kate. Eschewing the manicured look, lush planting is seamlessly interspersed amongst the sunken lounges and daybeds, extending onto the terraces to forge an inviting, calming sanctuary. 

With natural air-purifying qualities, the planting, which includes cascading vines, serves to soften the architecture's lines, while vibrant floral accents and variegated foliage introduce visual dynamism. 

With affluent buyers demanding far more than just luxury homes, a higher calibre of living experience is expected. Skilfully blending premium materials, thoughtful spatial planning, and the integration of nature can realise a deeply sensory and restorative environment. With rising demand for amenities that support remediation therapies, including salt rooms, and even snow rooms, for those seeking the pinnacle of beachside living, design studios like Plus Architecture are setting a new benchmark for what's achievable. 

Drift Residences is currently under construction and due for completion in 2025. For more information, visit the Plus Architecture website.