Woollahra

by Richard Carr

The brief for the alterations to this generous one-bedroom apartment located in the inner-city suburb of Woollahra, Sydney, was to create a contemporary, versatile and liveable environment whilst complementing the original character of the 93 year old Victorian Building which has been owned by the client for 44 years and slowly deteriorated.

The approach was to enhance the living spaces restraining to a minimal palette of materials, enhancing and reiterating the beautiful character of the existing building without overwhelming. The centrally located kitchen has been modernised and subtly connected the previously disconnected living spaces. In creating this connection, northern light from the kitchen is introduced into the south facing living and dining spaces.

Adopting art deco cues of from the existing building, the bathroom references the existing geometric mosaics within a new narrow circular shower. Functionally, the bathroom has been maximised, incorporating a laundry sectioned off and private from the everyday use of the bathroom.

The light filled bedroom, intended to dual as second living space, incorporates joinery that has been designed to float within the room never breaking the line of the existing skirtings or extending beyond the picture rail therefore never engaging with the floors or ornate ceilings. The storage wraps an original window, doubling as window seat to frame the streetscape for residents to enjoy.