Unhurried Motion – Millers Point Penthouse by Studio Barbara

A warm and curvilinear home, Millers Point Penthouse proposes a softer aspect to urban living. Collaborating with Elton Group, Studio Barbara revives a previously dated apartment in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

Settled within a historic part of Sydney, Millers Point Penthouse sits 28 storeys high overlooking the city harbour. In contrast to the stilted atmosphere of the pre-existing apartment, the renovated dwelling is a space of unhurried motion, filled with subtle references to the natural and urban setting. By removing and reintroducing internal walls, Studio Barbara is able to pair the interior architecture of the home with carefully layered decorative details, creating an immersive residential experience.

The idea of gradual, delightful discovery is completely realised with the repeated use of concealed lighting.

Carefully controlling the flow of spaces, Studio Barbara seamlessly transitions residents from the frenetic pace of the city to the steady rhythm of a domestic environment. A well-placed wall at the entrance to the apartment delays the moment that the view of the city is revealed, allowing residents to prepare for a change of scene. The idea of gradual, delightful discovery is completely realised with the repeated use of concealed lighting.

Mink veneer by Elton Group is used as a point of material consistency throughout Millers Point Penthouse, guiding residents through the apartment and softening the interior with its muted walnut tone. In the hands of a skilled joiner, the timber creates curved forms that define the home – found in the treatment of the stairwell, joinery and bulkheads, for instance – abstractly referencing Sydney harbour and the undulating hills of the landscape.

A black steel band supporting the kitchen island bench pays homage to the harbour bridge whilst fluted tiles replicate the visual pattern of the waves below.

The design of the kitchen and master ensuite also connects Millers Point Penthouse to its context. A black steel band supporting the kitchen island bench pays homage to the harbour bridge whilst fluted tiles replicate the visual pattern of the waves below. A selection of understated marble creates a symphonic tonal interplay in the kitchen. In contrast, the marble slabs used in the master ensuite have strong veining in allusion to the movement of the clouds, contributing to an intimate and dramatic space that acts as a refuge from the city.

Millers Point Penthouse represents a sophisticated interpretation of Sydney apartment living. Translating the movement of the city into a designed landscape of curves, Studio Barbara creates a home that is both connected to its location and blissfully removed.