Sydney 385

by Smart Design Studio

Like a compendium of stories, Sydney 385 by Smart Design Studio (a simple multi-residential building), gradually reveals a series of ideas that are both individual and unique, yet combine to create a satisfying whole.

At Sydney 385, a building of 10 apartments in Balgowlah, Smart Design Studio‘s aim was to make exemplar infill architecture. The outcome is unprepossessing but of high quality, responding to the site and its principle assets: a sunny, urban outlook in one direction and a leafy outlook towards the Pacific Ocean in the other.

A skin of solid brickwork patterned with apparently random openings contains the building. The double-height spaces brought through to this exterior extend the outlook of two floor levels; one opening up towards the sky, one looking down to the street. Paired with a fire-engine red street number, another signifies the main building entrance.Each wall is carefully proportioned to avoid cut bricks whilst allowing interiors to discreetly access sun and views. Horizontal raked joints and brick lintels provide further refinement.

The palette of the apartments is calm, designed to create a sense of quiet retreat. In playful contrast, bright and bold lobbies are located at the building’s heart. Here, concrete floors, soffits and walls are enlivened by joinery panels, in individual colours to distinguish each floor. From outside to within, each space at Sydney 385 is refined to be individual, yet part of a cohesive ensemble.

Images Courtesy of Smart Design Studio.

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