Belle

GOLDEN GRAIN

[ Fitzroy ]

- Freadman White

DEVELOPER MILIEU and architects Freadman White pooled their skills on this inspired apartment, one of a boutique collection of 14 homes in a lively pocket of Melbourne. What was the brief? Shannon Peach: In keeping with Milieu's commitment to crafting projects that embrace and enhance the city’s inner north, 223 Napier Street is a refined response to its context. Partnering again with Freadman White, we embraced the timeless and flexible appeal of an Australian modernist vernacular to honour the streetscap­e of Fitzroy’s ‘Golden Triangle’. Michael White: At Freadman White we embed a curiosity-driven and experienti­ally charged tension in our architectu­re and interiors. This is most apparent in our collaborat­ions with Milieu, always involving a design and review process of rich debate from which authentic design responses are born. What were the challenges and how did you resolve them? SP: We acquired the site knowing its constraine­d nature, with two of the four boundaries being shared. We turned the biggest challenge into a feature, working within these confines and executing the open-air circulatio­n design. MW: We opened up the building to natural light and ventilatio­n through effectivel­y two individual buildings linked via landscaped open-air bridges above a central courtyard. How would you

These pages ”Robust materialit­y – unmistakab­ly Australian – chosen for its organic beauty offers understate­d character that encourages tranquil repose,” says Freadman White architect Michael White of the soothing interior palette of exposed concrete, timber and stone surfaces and pops of brass. Monica Forster for Zanat ‘Tara’ shelving unit works to separate living zones. ‘Lowland’ sofa designed by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso. Artwork by Nancy Carnegie.

describe the completed interior? SP: The interior was driven by a desire to maximise space and enhance liveabilit­y, bringing house-like qualities to apartment living. Attention to small gestures elevates the overall outcome. Robust materialit­y was chosen for its organic beauty and offers an understate­d sophistica­tion that will age gracefully. MW: An unfolding sense of arrival takes cues from early modernist living with dual-aspect cross-ventilatio­n through the open-air pathways. Brass, a recurring accent, invokes a sense of occasion; the grand front door sets the tone. Sliding floor-to-ceiling glazed doors flanked by irregular metal screens, perforated brickwork and greenery designed to cascade over time all invite the outside in. What are some of your favourite elements? SP: Those that maximise the sense of space through innovative design. Inbuilt joinery sees each element designed and constructe­d with a thorough considerat­ion of functional­ity and beauty, enhancing the feeling of home. Refined timber joinery and finely grained natural stone is paired with brushed brass shelving and joinery pulls. MW: Sliding windows matching the width of the living space open to quickly transform intimate internal zones into open-air balconies with a strong connection to the street. The feeling of being nestled in the trees belies the urban context. Curved walls employed to blend a discrete dining space with the adjacent living zone make the spaces feel larger than they are. The way that light is cast across the textured, curving walls also enhances their sensual qualities and extends the perception of the spaces. What informed the selection of furniture, art, fittings and finishes? SP: We collaborat­ed with Hub to expertly style the interiors and were pleased to find that due to the lofty ceilings, full-height windows and inbuilt joinery, the spaces felt remarkably open and generous when furnished. MW: Expressed through a sequence of zones, the palette invites retreat from the vibrant activity of outside city life. Were the clients happy with the execution? SP: The response has been extremely positive. The residents are taking great pride in their furniture and artwork selection to mirror the design’s level of considerat­ion. MW: The residents are happy with the execution of the design as it is not overbearin­g. It is a validation of the strength of our concepts when we see the spaces furnished and styled with such complement­ary pieces. milieuprop­erty.com.au; freadmanwh­ite.com

 ?? Photograph­y ?? GAVIN GREEN
Photograph­y GAVIN GREEN
 ??  ?? This page ‘Pale Oak‘ flooring, fine-grained joinery in Navurban ‘Tablelands’ from New Age Veneers and exposed concrete ceilings bring an honest, raw warmth to the light-washed interiors. Custom ‘Atticus’ dining table by Lowe Furniture with Overgaard & Dyrman ‘Wire‘ dining chairs, all from Hub. Kitchen by Dada for Molteni&C. Terrazzo wall tiles from Fibonacci Stone, splashback in matt white tiles from Classic Ceramics. Elba honedmarbl­e bench top from CDK Stone. ‘Radius’ lip pulls in brass from Auhaus Architectu­re + Interiors. Flos ‘Mini Glo-Ball’ wall sconce from Euroluce. Opposite page Driade ‘Roly Poly’ armchair by Faye Toogood and Lowe Furniture ‘Dish’ side table on a custom bull leather rug, all from Hub. Artwork by Nancy Carnegie.
This page ‘Pale Oak‘ flooring, fine-grained joinery in Navurban ‘Tablelands’ from New Age Veneers and exposed concrete ceilings bring an honest, raw warmth to the light-washed interiors. Custom ‘Atticus’ dining table by Lowe Furniture with Overgaard & Dyrman ‘Wire‘ dining chairs, all from Hub. Kitchen by Dada for Molteni&C. Terrazzo wall tiles from Fibonacci Stone, splashback in matt white tiles from Classic Ceramics. Elba honedmarbl­e bench top from CDK Stone. ‘Radius’ lip pulls in brass from Auhaus Architectu­re + Interiors. Flos ‘Mini Glo-Ball’ wall sconce from Euroluce. Opposite page Driade ‘Roly Poly’ armchair by Faye Toogood and Lowe Furniture ‘Dish’ side table on a custom bull leather rug, all from Hub. Artwork by Nancy Carnegie.
 ??  ?? This page, clockwise from top left In the kitchen, a sleek shelf and joinery pulls all in brass bring a gleam to the neutral interiors. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors maximise natural light within the internal living spaces, satisfying the need for an easily accessible indoor-outdoor connection as well as sanctuary from Melbourne’s notoriousl­y capricious weather. Moroso ‘Little Albert’ chair from Hub on the balcony. In the bedroom is an ‘Antitesi’ table by Ivano Redaelli paired with a Molteni&C ‘Domino Next’ side table. Artworks by Anika Cook of The Gently Unfurling Sneak.
This page, clockwise from top left In the kitchen, a sleek shelf and joinery pulls all in brass bring a gleam to the neutral interiors. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors maximise natural light within the internal living spaces, satisfying the need for an easily accessible indoor-outdoor connection as well as sanctuary from Melbourne’s notoriousl­y capricious weather. Moroso ‘Little Albert’ chair from Hub on the balcony. In the bedroom is an ‘Antitesi’ table by Ivano Redaelli paired with a Molteni&C ‘Domino Next’ side table. Artworks by Anika Cook of The Gently Unfurling Sneak.
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