Spirited and Considered – Parklane Apartment by Knight Associates

Confident and carefully considered, the assured ambience of Parklane Apartment by Knight Associates heralds new beginnings for a setting rich with historical context. Nestled within Auckland’s enduring Parklane building, the apartment defines itself as a contemporary haven whilst affectionately observing memories of classic charm. Through subtle gestures and minimalist forms, Knight Associates impresses a hushed sophistication upon the abode, revitalising its shell to encapsulate a space awash with intimate calm.

The Parklane building maintains its standing as a landmark addition to Auckland’s thriving city centre. Conceived in 1920 and known then as the Ross & Glendining Building, the original construction sturdily remained for decades. Initially born as a factory site, operating commercially to manufacture textiles and clothing, the building underwent a fundamental transformation in the 1990s when extensive renovations were undertaken to convert the structure into the iconic loft-apartment character that continues today.

The residence enjoys a continuation of right angles and clean lines throughout, marrying modern joinery and forms with their traditional inspiration.

Responsive to the industrial bones that cradle the residence, the interior presents a refined result of its evolution through the years. Cognisant of the heritage spirit, elements were retained in the revamp that served Rufus Knight of Knight Associates when designing Parklane Apartment. He explains that the 1994 upgrade was successful in “maintaining many of the hallmarks and industrial qualities of the original textile factory building, including a noteworthy four metre stud height and operable steel casement windows.”

With a north-eastern aspect that beckons sunlight to spill through, the black bordered windows afford a vantage towards nearby Myers Park and reveal a surrounding streetscape lined by lush trees. Favourably placed, Parklane Apartment rests with contentment in its prominent inner-city locale, its soothing interior quelling the commotion of the city just beyond its glazing.

Floor-to-ceiling travertine with its layers of material richness establishes the bathroom as a space of retreat.

Judiciously making use of every moment within the 90-square-metre space, Rufus recalls the journey to redefining its blueprint. “The brief imagined a renovation of the existing two-bedroom floor plan into a contemporary and spacious apartment for a professional couple,” he tells. In designing Parklane’s new interior, a particular focus was given to granting a sense of openness, which has been marvellously achieved by maximising the flow of illumination through its grand window, a fresh floor plan and meticulous consideration of storage.

“A revised internal layout aimed to optimise space and aspect with reconfigured kitchen, living, dining, bathroom and bedrooms,” Rufus details. “The refurbishment also included reworked storage spaces to maximise efficiency while maintaining a clean and considered design outcome.” This prudent use of space sees the home take pleasure in softly unfolding with airy ease. Each inclusion exists as harmoniously present, occupying precisely the right spatial capacity to serve its purpose without dominating the room.

Remembering its genesis in the 1920s, the abode embraces an entirely renewed and dynamic expression more than a century later.

Knight Associates’s exacting approach is fruitful in instilling homely warmth through a pared mingling of contemporary and heritage constituents. Immediately captivating upon entry, the gridded steel windows form a cornerstone of Parklane Apartment’s character. Drawing upon the geometric detailing, the abode enjoys a continuation of right angles and clean edges throughout, marrying modern joinery and forms with their traditional inspiration. The repeated horizontal lines invite the eye to travel their length, grounding the space with stability and emphasising permanence, whilst the generous ceiling height draws the gaze upwards for an experience of abundant space.

Speaking on the spirited interaction between old and new, Rufus says that “the opportunity existed for a tactile and sophisticated interior that elevated the period architecture and enhanced the spatial organisation of the previous renovation.” Attentive to honouring the home’s lived history, works included a reconditioning of Parklane Apartment’s foundations to bolster the space with its native timber boards that, in turn, guided the palette selection. “Through a process of restoration on the original jarrah floors, a rich, resonant palette of russet and ash tones emerged, which [then] informed the finish of the large central oak joinery unit housing a workstation, book shelving and kitchen,” Rufus describes. “This was offset by a crisp stainless steel island bench, white linen drapery and full-height wardrobe cabinetry in the bedrooms to ensure a textural and tonal balance.”

Dignified by muted neutrals, the home employs the allure of quietly mottled stone surfaces to introduce gentle movement to its otherwise stoic forms. Flecks and dapples of creamy, buttered marbling course through the apartment’s various spaces, subtly unifying interiors. “The laundry and bathroom spaces – accessed through the main joinery unit – were lined floor-to-ceiling in vein-cut travertine to create a space of retreat at the heart of the apartment,” explains Rufus. “The refurbishment made use of a refined minimal palette with layers of material richness in concert with updated fittings, furniture and fixtures.” Lusciously adorned whilst retaining sophisticated restraint, the measured choice of scenery beckons the lives of Parklane’s inhabitants to fill the space with the colour of their own existence.

Aptly narrating the success of the home’s functional poise, Rufus chronicles Parklane Apartment’s definitive rebirth. “Through a combination of natural materials, considered fittings and fixtures and balance of light and dark tones, the reconfigured spaces feel like a singular and consistent interior experience that strongly reference the character of the original architecture and urbane yet leafy location.” Remembering its genesis in the 1920s, the abode embraces an entirely renewed and dynamic expression more than a century later. Parklane Apartment’s most recent metamorphosis recalls moments of old-world grace with reverent serenity, simultaneously permeated with peaceful expectancy for the future it offers its residents.