THE DESIGN-SAVVY

owner of an already stylish apartment in Sydney’s Darlinghurst called on Hecker Guthrie to further unlock the space’s potential, says Hamish Guthrie. What was the brief? With a sophisticated eye for design and a passion for architecture, our client asked that we reimagine her apartment, set within the iconic Republic II building, to align it with her design principles and lifestyle. What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them? The location of existing services dictated planning to a degree. Our challenge was to maximise the space, without imposing too dramatically on the existing architectural language. Describe the completed interior? The light-filled apartment is sophisticated and contemporary. The focus centres around social living at its core, with an overarching pull towards the outdoor element of this apartment. To enhance the visual and physical connectivity between zones, we created a series of timber and glass screens to help frame the living spaces, referencing the client’s passion for Japanese and Scandinavian design, objects and artwork. In replacing key walls with glazed partitions, we created an expanded sense of space and light in a functional and considered way. Directional lighting creates subtle illumination to focus sightlines and imbue a gallery aesthetic. The owner’s carefully selected furniture and objects cohesively tie the spaces together. Were there any devices used to maximise the sense of space? The finely crafted timber and glass partitions link the living areas and create opportunities for light, connection and life to come together. What informed the selection of art, furniture and fittings? Using a minimal palette with white as a base, the client’s art, objects and furniture infuse personality into every facet of the space. Was the owner happy with the execution? Ultimately a place of sanctuary for the owner, the apartment allows for a place of work and a place to entertain. The way she has embraced the ideas and taken further ownership of her environment and run with it is everything we aspire to achieve as designers. heckerguthrie.com

This page, clockwise from above A ‘Maruni’ chair by Sanaa perches below a large artwork by Michael Bennett from Gallery9. The clean lines of the ‘Finley’ bed from Jardan, which has a leather headboard and solid American oak base, is complemented with softly crushed pure linen bedding from In Bed. Pianca ‘Dedalo’ occasional table from Domo and Akari ‘1A’ table lamp by Isamu Noguchi. The Plant Society deployed generous planters filled with Japanese maple to enrich the balcony’s leafy outlook.