Celebrating and Championing Heritage – Darling Point Art Deco by Handelsmann and Khaw

Celebrating the theatre and glamour of the existing heritage details of the 1930s apartment, the kitchen and bathroom renovation by Handelsmann and Khaw injects Darling Point Art Deco with a new life.

As a championing of the art deco movement and the featured heritage details already present within the space, Darling Point Art Deco sees the renovation of two of the key elements of the home – the kitchen and bathroom. Integral to the function of any apartment, the kitchen and bathroom both are key to the nurturing of a home’s occupants. Taking inspiration from the existing feature curved walls and openings, a considered approach integrates iconic Miami art deco influences. The resulting injections enliven and connect the previously disparate zones within the apartment and become destinations in themselves. Handelsmann and Khaw has reinterpreted the deco movement through a contemporary lens and created a truly unique residential experience.

Built by Cumberland Building and located in the same-named Darling Point in Sydney, the kitchen was previously somewhat void of architectural heritage detailing and its ill-planning meant it was centred in the apartment without access to an outside view. Through careful master planning, the kitchen was expanded with a glass-blocked 1980s renovation relic removed and a previous bathtub niche in an adjacent room becoming the breakfast banquette. The resulting kitchen is imagined as a cohesive and considered series of elements that integrate and support one another. By removing unnecessary walls internally, the otherwise dark and closed-in space was opened up to the exterior, connecting the space to natural light.

Handelsmann and Khaw injects Darling Point Art Deco with a new life.

The palette evolved as in response to the client’s fascination and an early love of expressive veined and clouded mint green marble. The resulting muted green cabinetry continues this colour story and reinforces and supports the natural stone elements. Curved edges reflect the ‘ocean liner curves’ founds in the other areas of the home, and aid in the circulation and flow of movement within the space. The integrated banquette seating completes the room as a destination and acts as a flow on from the full-height, integrated storage and support elements within the space. As a sculptural hub, the kitchen becomes better fitting to its heritage environs.

As a championing of the art deco movement and the featured heritage details already present within the space, Darling Point Art Deco sees the renovation of two of the key elements of the home – the kitchen and bathroom

The bathrooms take influence from the expressive art deco style seen in Miami in the 1930s, where strong and bold colour gestures dominated. With structural walls unable to be altered, the shell within which the bathrooms could exist were fixed and dictated the resulting form. In response to this, the use of colour more than makes up for the lack of expansion and sees the space take on a mix between a laboratory utilitarian aesthetic and a highly detailed colour rich space. Reminiscent of the era, these combined approaches reflect how the apartment wet rooms of the day would have been articulated.

Expressive and yet somehow also muted, Darling Point Art Deco captures the era within which it was first imagined. Handelsmann and Khaw injects a much-needed new lease on life through the enlivening of the bathroom and kitchen, transforming them from supporting elements to desirable destinations.

Handelsmann and Khaw injects a much-needed new lease on life through the enlivening of the bathroom and kitchen, transforming them from supporting elements to desirable destinations.