Verdant Design – Doggett Street Showroom by Cavill Architects

Cavill Architects’ recent Doggett Street Showroom composes an ebb and flow between external landscape and internal spaces to create an experience at once enlivening and calming.

Situated on a heavily trafficked corner site with a harsh westerly aspect, Doggett Street is now marked by a screen of masonry and landscape. The architects conceived a light-filled showroom from the historic workers’ cottage, transforming it into an extraordinary built space. The design now encourages natural light to saturate the spaces whilst offering privacy to the interior.

The architects conceived a light-filled showroom from the historic workers’ cottage, transforming it into an extraordinary built space.

The landscape, designed in collaboration with Martin Brothers, is integral to the architectural strategy – both externally and internally. Outside, Brisbane tuff stone sits proudly aboveground, creating both a physical and visual connection between the streetscape and the showroom. The volcanic stone serves as more than a design feature – it is a resource particular to Brisbane. Tuff stone was quarried during the 19^thcentury for use in the construction of Brisbane’s earliest civic buildings, and acknowledging this significant historic value, Cavill Architects decided to preserve and celebrate the rock feature.

The stone now frames the showroom, proudly keeping the structure in line with Brisbane’s historic vernacular. The design intent carries through to the façade, which amplifies the stone’s presence through the use of earthy Bowral bricks – anchoring the project to the site and the city’s heritage.

The landscape, designed in collaboration with Martin Brothers, is integral to the architectural strategy – both externally and internally.

Within the showroom, the Bowral bricks impart the external design features onto the interior, serving as the backdrop to a delicate rainforest-like atmosphere. Underfoot, the steel trowelled concrete further sets the scene to showcase the greenery. Here, the foliage is part of the built space – not an addition to it. The carefully curated plants permeate the showroom to add depths of colour and life while blurring the lines between the natural and the built.

The large glass window overlooking the main frontage is veiled by retractable diaphanous curtains – offering privacy when needed and subduing the sun’s harsh rays. The natural light illuminates the handwoven No. 811 Hoffman armchairs and elevates the décor; the space is a playful balance of a light and neutral palette with a contemporary mix of timber and concrete accents.

A mature tree surrounded by monsteras and philodendrons create a feature of the stairwell. A design equilibrium between the clean lines, arches of the walls, and the foliage ensures the architecture has movement and life. The smooth lines contrast beautifully with the verdant features, displaying an aspirational coexistence between the design elements.

Working with a challenging site, Cavill Architectssuccessfully creates a delicate balance. Through an integrated approach to architecture and landscape, a sense of both respite from and connection to the busy streetscape outside is found.