The classic Queenslander is as Australian as home designs come. Perfectly created for Brisbane suburbs, their elevated timber frames, iron roofs and wide sweeping verandahs offer ventilation, and a connection with the outdoors. It’s from this iconic inspiration that Aria Property Group’s apartment complex, Trellis, was created.

On the 1800 square-metre site in South Brisbane, the 13-storey residential development is a celebration of subtropical lifestyle. Designed by the architect firm, Rothelowman, the structural exoskeleton, broad balconies and cantilevered landscaping reflect the name Trellis. ‘It’s about looking at ordinary everyday things through a new lens, in this case dissolving the boundaries between interior and exterior,’ says Jonothan Cowle, Principal of National Design at Rothelowman.

The ground floor, originally zoned as a mixed-use space, has thoughtfully been amended to a 10-metre-high garden lobby. The cross-ventilated design principles extend from the lobby up through the tower, further aided by the almost 7000 trees and plants integrated into the building.

The green space is not only for visual appeal; it’s also part of Aria’s overall sustainable methodology. As Aria’s Development Director Brent Liddell states, ‘Our goal is for Brisbane to become a global leader in green buildings.’ 

The ground floor includes more than just gardens – it also has work-from-home areas, a fitness centre and yoga space. Amazingly, the amenities for residents occupy more than 1700 square metres, and include a wine bar, podcast studio, outdoor lawns, barbecue areas, private dining spaces and a 25-metre infinity pool.

Each of the 110 apartments are designed for comfort and connection to the outdoors. 

With restrictions in place over the number of levels, but not total height, the apartments have expansive three-metre ceilings. The automated glass louvres, linked to a weathervane, draw in natural light and ventilation while closing during inclement weather. Breezes are drawn from open corridors through bespoke, secure front doors, ensuring natural ventilation even in single-frontage apartments. The western facade features resident-controlled automatic blinds, optimising passive solar design and giving residents control over their comfort. 

The rooftop extends beyond council limits to accommodate a 100kW solar array, supported by six Tesla Powerwalls, making it five times larger than in previous Aria projects. Industry-leading irrigation technology, along with a 60,000-litre rainwater tank, UV-treated filtration, and a doubled catchment area provides 60 per cent water self-sufficiency. It is no wonder it has been awarded 2026 HIA Australian Apartment Complex.

As Aria's Brent Liddell says, ‘Our ethos stretched beyond design; it’s also about sustainability and community – to create iconic places we’re all proud to walk our families through for generations to come. This achievement highlights the collaborative spirit and dedication of our team.’ 

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Materials

• Facade: Precast concrete and glass
• Benchtops: Reconstituted stone
• Flooring: Engineered timber
• Joinery: LPM & HPL
• Tapware: Abey
• Paint: Dulux
• Appliances: Miele, Fisher & Paykel