PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY

[ Surry Hills ]

PIVOTING A SOARING loft-style space in inner Sydney was a return assignment for BKH’s Iain Halliday, who worked closely with owner Richard Baker to configure an expansive family home and workspace. What was the brief? IH: BKH’s involvement goes back 21 years when we designed the fitout for photographer Geoff Lung. He wanted a space he could both live and work in, with ‘private’ and ‘public’ spaces that were implied and did not compromise the loft’s wonderful light and bone structure. The new owners have different needs: they work from home and have two teenage children. When they viewed the apartment they fell in love, making an offer in an hour. What were the challenges of the site and how did you resolve them? IH: To maintain the height, light and generous scale while creating areas of privacy for bedrooms and bathrooms. This was achieved by inserting blade walls that symmetrically ‘bracket’ the central space which is used for communal dining and study, with the kitchen recessed partially into the north side wall. A curved screen wall was installed to create a guest sleeping area. A small, carpet-lined media room is concealed behind the south blade wall and below two bedrooms. How would you describe the space? IH: Effortless and calm with an emphasis on neutral colours and materials.

“WE WERE CONSCIOUS OF THE SPACE IT HAD BEEN AND AIMED TO KEEP THE OPENNESS AND LIGHT.“

White is the overriding colour with subtle shades of grey and taupe used in the lounge. The space suits large gatherings while still feeling comfortable if one is alone. What are some of your favourite elements? IH: The fixed, seven-metre marble dining table, ‘relentless’ white palette and curvaceous mid-century furnishings. All were employed to conjure NYC loft spaces of the late 70s. RB: The table was Iain’s interpretation of an Australian country kitchen table, bringing people together and serving multiple functions. It’s a hub of activity where we spend time cooking, doing homework, taking Zoom calls and entertaining; someone can be folding laundry at one end while one of the children practices guitar at the other. We also host progressive dinner parties with the other residents so it’s been a centre of wonderful conversations. What informed the selection of furniture, art, fittings and finishes? RB: We were conscious of the space it had been and aimed to keep the openness and light. The question was how to furnish the apartment in a way that didn’t distract from the building or compete with the beautiful 100-year-old flooring. With Iain’s guidance, pieces were selected to fit that mix while bringing a fresh feel. What do you enjoy about living here? RB: With five-metre ceilings the light is amazing. With Iain’s help we turned a photographic studio into a fourbedroom apartment so having that transformation without changing the look and feel was important. We enjoy the openness in the home but also the area we live in – it’s an inner-city warehouse apartment in Surry Hills with all the great things that come with it. bkh.com.au

These pages The silk-bamboo rug from Whitecliffe Imports was designed by Iain Halliday with slender, graphic lines that emulate the frames of the original building’s vast windows. The custom piece beautifully reflects the light and delineates the living zone within the lofty space, grounding a Knoll ‘Bird’ armchair and ottoman by Harry Bertoia from De De Ce, a Vladimir Kagan sofa from Edwin Odermatt of Atelier Furniture in Rozelle, and a pair of Arflex ‘Lady’ armchairs by Marco Zanuso from Space – all gently clustered in conversation and finished in elegant greys. Cocktail tables by Milo Baughman from Greg Natale, Herman Miller ‘Walnut’ stool by Charles and Ray Eames from Living Edge and ClassiCon ‘Bell’ table from Anibou. Artwork by Trent Parke and Narelle Autio from Michael Reid Gallery above a Karakter ‘Lari’ lamp from Cult and ceramics by Liz Stops from Planet.

Photography NICHOLAS WATT

This page, clockwise from top left An artwork by Ryan Hoffmann from Liverpool Street Gallery is exhibited above a Cassina ‘La Rotonda’ table by Mario Bellini and a custom ottoman by Iain Halliday. Flos ‘Toio’ floor lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni from Euroluce. Fritz Hansen ‘Series 7’ chairs from Cult line the seven-metre marble table at the home’s centre with a sculptural mass of Flos ‘Aim’ pendant lights dancing overhead, all finished in crisp white tones that highlight the original floorboards. The kitchen is outfitted with a Zanussi Professional oven. Tracey Deep Sacred Willow and Sacred Desert artworks from Saint Cloche. Opposite page Suspended above the home’s central space, the spaghetti-like tangle of Flos ‘Aim’ light fittings by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec from Euroluce takes full advantage of the warehouse’s theatrical scale.

This page, from left Beautiful details include the shadow line of the stairs, which are tucked discreetly into one of the two blade walls that were inserted when the loft was converted by BKH. ‘Envelope’ bed from Planet. Opposite page Ivy Barn Owl artwork by Leila Jeffreys from Olsen Gallery can be seen behind the two-metrehigh screen wall that was installed to create a guest sleeping area. ClassiCon ‘Bell’ table from Anibou and Zanotta ‘Gilda’ armchair by Carlo Mollino from Cult.