Shrine Apartment by Studio Edwards - Project Feature - The Local Project
Outwardly directed, Shrine Apartment utilises views of the nearby Botanic Gardens and iconic Shrine of Remembrance as the backdrop for everyday life. Studio Edwards uses an enriching palette of warm and textural finishes, injecting the home with an inviting atmosphere.
Centrally positioned in Melbourne’s CBD, Shrine Apartment takes its name from the nearby War memorial site and alignment with other iconic buildings within the city. Sitting in such closeness to the distinct landmark, the Shrine of Remembrance helps anchor the home in place. As a reworking of the existing shell, the humble 55 square metres of internal floor area is opened into a series of connected and flowing zones. Studio Edwards overlays a timelessness by selecting an enduring series of finishes and incorporating natural light.
The overall approach is focused on harnessing a connection outward. Coming together as a collection of spaces, the living room, bedroom and kitchen are easily accessed from one another. Through opening the existing walls, framed portals of the surrounding treetop canopies are created, becoming the ever-changing scenes of animation that enliven the home.
Playfully optimising space, angled walls taper to both reveal views and conceal areas of intimacy. A subtle distinction emerges where areas bathed in natural light feel larger and the intimate nature of private spaces is enhanced through darkened materiality. Sliding elements allow walls to peel away, allowing a direct connection to the outdoors – though when closed, the perceived internal space is amplified by the reflective surfaces.
Using linear shapes and a focusing on textural and enduring materiality, Shrine Apartment is overlaid with tactile richness. Studio Edwards echoes the permanence of nearby architecture in the home’s creation, enlivening the contemporary form with the city’s cultural structures.
