Waterbrook Residences

Multi-Family

Client: Waterbrook

1,829,864 SQFT

Australia

Set in the scenic Southern Highlands just 90 minutes from Sydney, the villas and apartments at Bowral by Waterbrook set a new benchmark for active seniors’ living. Designed to foster a strong sense of community, the development offers residents a warm, welcoming environment that feels like a “home away from home.” The villas, in particular, are situated within a neighbourly enclave where privacy meets connection, each residence thoughtfully designed to support independence while encouraging interaction. Natural light, calming materials, and curated greenery create a backdrop for daily life that is both elegant and grounded in comfort.

Designing and delivering over 200 residences in a community-focused development posed a unique challenge: each home needed to feel personal and considered, yet the pace of construction had to align with commercial timelines. The villas, in particular, demanded a dual approach, treating each as a custom home while navigating the efficiencies of large-scale development. Buyers were given the opportunity to personalise their finishes, whether in kitchen design, joinery detailing, or fixtures. This required meticulous coordination between design, the superintendent, and the builder to integrate changes without delaying progress, ensuring each resident’s vision was realised on time and to specification.

Across both the apartments and villas, the design team remained a constant throughout the multi-year project, defending the design integrity through numerous shifts in the development and construction teams. From space planning and detailing to merchandise selection and procurement strategy, every finish, fixture, and material was carefully reviewed and costed to balance budget and vision. The team worked hand-in-hand with procurement partners to ensure products arrived on time and as specified, and remained closely involved during the installation phase to protect the design quality from concept through to completion.

The result is a considered, cohesive residential environment that redefines over-55 living, not as a compromise, but as a celebration of lifestyle and legacy. These homes are not only beautifully appointed but also deeply functional, tailored to meet the physical and emotional needs of residents entering a new phase of life. Bowral by Waterbrook is now a reference point for the next generation of retirement communities: community-driven, future-ready, and crafted with the same care one would expect of a private, bespoke home.

Lorena lives design – she does not design with ego; it is more important to her that she meets the Client’s brief. Her concepts are intelligent, and she has a thorough knowledgeable of building capabilities and limitations. The results of her designs for both projects completely surpassed our expectations, which greatly assisted our funding and sales processes. Lorena was and is a true partner in our business, one that enhances our ideas and creates incredible value to our projects. Lorena is a pleasure to work with; she initially captured our attention with her humour and enthusiasm and soon backed it up with amazing ability.

What I appreciated most about working with Lorena was the collaborative mindset she brought to the process. She and her team didn’t just bring concepts, they truly listened, adapted, and worked with me as an extension of my own vision.

During the design development phase, this approach made a real impact. There was a clear understanding of what we were aiming to achieve, and Lorena’s team helped bring that to life without losing sight of the practicalities. The creative input was always backed by solid follow-through.

It never felt like we were handing off tasks, it felt like we were building something together. That kind of partnership made the process more efficient, and ultimately, more successful.

Working with Lorena and her team brought a level of clarity to the design process that was incredibly valuable from a development perspective. Their ability to visually communicate the design intent made it easier for me to identify and address key construction details early, saving time and avoiding issues down the line.

The team was proactive, detail-oriented, and open to collaboration. They understood how to translate creative ideas into practical outcomes, and that made my job easier. Their drawings and material selections didn’t just look good, they made sense in the context of delivery.

It’s rare to find a design team that can balance creativity with the technical realities of construction. Lorena’s team did exactly that.

Lorena’s team was a great asset to the project. They were always available when we needed input, whether it was a quick clarification or a detailed review, and their turnaround times were consistently fast, which helped us keep momentum on site.

What stood out was how they positioned themselves between Waterbrook and us as a true bridge. They understood both sides and helped streamline communication, resolve issues quickly, and keep everyone aligned.

It made a real difference having a design team that was both responsive and grounded in the realities of construction. We knew we could rely on them to move things forward efficiently.