SMART SPACES

[ Collingwood ]

Nine petit and chic abodes with abundant elan.

Turning their constraints into outstanding assets, nine urban residences that pack design inspiration aplenty.

COLLABORATING ON the renovation of this warehouse apartment was a dream project for architect Rob Kennon and his client, a lifelong friend. What was the brief? The apartment was designed in the early 1980s by McBride Charles Ryan Architects and features a ‘shard’ that extends the full height of the stairwell, volumetrically connecting the home’s three levels. It’s an interesting space, spatially and acoustically. Being a shell within a heritage warehouse building, the architecture required maintenance. We saw this as an opportunity to refine the material palette and consolidate the layers of the architecture. We pulled it back a bit to amplify the core spatial ideas while adding our own layers. We added some breakout areas to enhance the experience of the space – a little garden with seating from which you can chat to the cook, curtains to close off spaces when needed, and so on. Lots of little nooks. What were the challenges of the space? It’s important to be respectful of the original concept when adding anything new, which can be a challenge. The home is located on the upper levels of an old building, so the logistics of access and construction presented some difficulties. The solution was, quite simply, collaboration – group conversations in which everyone felt empowered to share their ideas. How would you describe the completed interior? Comfortable and functional. There are areas for seclusion and communal activities, as well as elements of surprise when you move through the space. The lower floor is sort of a retreat, while the middle floor is designed for sharing – sort of a coming-together floor. The upper floor contains the master bedroom, which has great views over the city and its own private garden. It’s actually a semi-public space – visitors can walk through and not even realise it’s a bedroom, because the basins and the wardrobe are sort of concealed in the wall. What are some of your favourite elements? The unique aspect of this home is that it’s not divided with

walls in the typical sense, which creates a three-dimensional experience for the occupants. It is spatially divided in the way that architecture and interiors are considered, but in a nontraditional way, which creates different experiences within the broader home. I try to stay away from open-plan – to me it is a bit generic. Here, there is openness to the layout but with distinct zones so it still feels cosy. That’s why the shard is so valuable: it’s a connector, a unifying thread that is also a hangout space in itself. It is both functional and decorative, a balustrade that doesn’t look like one. The limited palette is key to the apartment’s success overall. A simplified language, especially in terms of materials, brings unity and harmony to a project. We prefer using natural materials where possible to ensure the surroundings don’t feel plastic or manufactured. There is movement, shadow and depth in all the surfaces. What informed the selection of furniture, art, fittings and surfaces? One signature piece is the dining table that we designed. Its green marble top sets the mood for the playfulness in the other furniture selections. The dining area is the centre of the home and is the nucleus for sharing and entertaining. Comfort comes into play, too, as does the mood of the particular zone. The living area downstairs is designed as a lying-down, afternooneasing-into-night kind of space, as opposed to a more ‘upright’ space used only for entertaining. Everything is low slung and very much for the owners to simply relax and enjoy. Were the owners happy with the execution? It was a really happy, positive experience for everyone involved. There is a great sense of community in the building – the clients and their neighbours regularly have each other over for dinner. I hadn’t thought of apartment buildings as good communities, but that has been a nice bonus for them. robkennon.com

Photography PABLO VEIGA LOFTY AIR Alexandra Brown Interiors’ scheme for this opulent penthouse apartment in inner-city Sydney includes a glamorous dining space delineated by a statement joinery wall. See Global Dynamic, p104.

These pages Despite being connected to the rest of the apartment via the central stairway, this private and secluded living area offers an experience of comfort and quietude that feels distinct from the more convivial zones. An artwork by the owner hangs above the sumptuous, low-slung B&B Italia ‘Tufty-Time’ modular sofa by Patricia Urquiola from Space. Richard Lampert ‘Barwagen’ trolley from Finnish Design Shop, B&B Italia ‘Alanda ’18’ coffee table by Paolo Piva from Space, ‘B2’ stainless-steel planter from Studio Chao and Cassina ‘Capitol Complex’ chair by Pierre Jeanneret from Mobilia. Apparatus ‘Highwire Tandem’ aged-brass pendant light from Criteria. Beside the window, Wild Brumby artwork by Adam Cullen from Michael Reid Gallery. Yeah The Boys artwork by Paul Ryan from James Makin Gallery.

This page, from top A curved end of the kitchen island lends softness to the space and draws attention to an angled wall delineating the central stairway. Super White Dolomite from CDK Stone has been used for the benchtop and island to offset the all-timber joinery. Hay ‘Revolver’ stools from Cult. At the far end of the island, a custom reading nook provides plenty of storage below the seat and shelving for books. Anh Thành artwork by Hoang Viet. Opposite page, clockwise from top left Vivid works of art are a common theme throughout the apartment, uniting the spaces in a gallery-worthy adventure. In the dining area, Alison Percy’s Misty Morning, Falls Creek towers over a custom steel-framed table topped with ‘Ice Green’ stone from Signorino. Gubi ‘Beetle’ dining chairs by GamFratesi from Criteria. A view of the dining area from the kitchen. In the living area, Yeah The Boys artwork by Paul Ryan from James Makin Gallery is balanced on the other side of a full-height doorway by Greta Costello’s 2019 print, Sedia y Arbol, Cadiz.

This page The sleeping area is sparse but offers everything from privacy, thanks to a floor-to-ceiling curtain separating it from the living area, to vast recessed bedside storage areas below built-in wardrobes on both sides of the bed. Thylacine Study Number 1 artwork by Joseph McGlennon from Michael Reid Gallery. Opposite page, clockwise from top On the other side of the bed, an Agape ‘In-Out’ pedestal basin by Benedini Associati from Artedomus is both functional and a standalone design statement. Tapware from Brodware. In the kitchen, Gubi ‘Beetle’ dining chair by GamFratesi from Criteria and Davide Groppi ‘Miss’ pendant light by Omar Carraglia from De De Ce. In the bathroom, ‘Platinum’ floor tiles from Fibonacci Stone. Brodware showerhead.