SMART SPACES

Inspiration for creating the best with less.

apartment in Lyon was reworked by Pierre Emmanuel Martin and Stéphane Garotin of Maison Hand. How did you become involved in this project and what was the client’s brief? We had already worked with this client before on different projects. She is a very busy lawyer and wanted us to be responsible for the total job. We organised a few meetings at our office and, as she trusts us, most of our choices were approved. What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them with your design scheme? There was not much work to do on the structure. Our client lives with her two teenage daughters. She wanted everyone to have their own space. There are three bedrooms facing the Saône River with a beautiful view of the city. The building is located in the old city which is UNESCO World Heritage listed. How would you describe the completed interior? The interior is pretty feminine in mainly white and beige and soft materials such as linen and wool as well as wood. The building itself is very inspiring because of its age. There are high ceilings, nice old oak floors and a stunning view. In each bedroom we prioritised comfort and lightness. What are some of your favourite design elements? Were there any devices that you employed to maximise the sense of space? The armchairs from Carl Hansen & Søn, designed by Hans J. Wegner, the Gubi desk and the antique table in the kitchen. Every room was already large because the building used to be occupied by silk merchants, and originally there was only one flat per floor. It had been divided in the 19th century. We created a wall between the living room and the TV room with doors which can be open or closed to create a guest room. Were the owners happy with the finished project? How do they use the space? The owner and her daughters are very happy with the home. It is a new life for them. They used to live in a house with a garden, but the teenagers are so happy to be in the centre of town so they can easily meet up with their friends and the mother is close to her office. maison-hand.com

SPACE AND AMENITY are key words to describe this development in Melbourne’s Toorak by Neometro design director Jeff Provan and MA Architects’ Karen Alcock. How did you become involved in this project and what was the client’s brief? Karen: Neometro approached MAA to design this apartment at Six Brookville Road with a brief to emphasise luxury finishes and fittings but also for the apartment to feel spacious and leverage off its corner location. What were some of the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them with your design scheme? Karen: Early on it was agreed to excavate the site slightly to maximise the floor-to-ceiling heights. Even a few inches can make a space feel more luxurious. We also used full-height windows that help extend the interiors and the view. Jeff: The neighbourhood includes a mix of Victorian houses, apartment buildings, and a primary school. It was important to maximise light and aspect, while being mindful of visual and acoustic privacy. We achieved this with a ‘sunken’ garden. We gave strong consideration to the fencing and landscaping to ensure the facade sat well into the site and seamlessly blended with the streetscape. How would you describe the finished project? Karen: Liveable homes are about the quality of the space, not just the quality of the fittings. This apartment has good orientation, light, cross ventilation and considered aspect, with the careful framing of views. Liveability is also about ‘comfort’ and being able to change the configuration of internal spaces from generous to intimate. The sliding screens and the location of joinery elements provide this flexibility. Jeff: We waited a long time to find the right location and we were patient with the design to ensure we met the high standards expected in this area. What are some of your favourite design elements? Karen: Generous French windows opening to the gardens and balconies reinforce the feeling of light and space. The simple, restrained palette of finishes, including the herringbone oak parquetry floors and natural Elba stone also contribute to the understated interior design. It is all about the luxury of space. The quality of the internal experience is achieved by light, winter solar access, shade for summer, natural ventilation and views that frame greenery and extend the interior into the garden. Were the clients happy with the completed project and how do they use the space? Jeff: This apartment combines contemporary, liveable interiors with high-quality amenity. It has wellplanned storage, spaces that work well during daylight hours, room to accommodate visiting family and friends, and useable outdoor areas for entertaining. neometro.com.au; maarchitects.com.au