REFINED FIGURE

the renovation of this warehouse apartment was a dream project for architect Rob Kennon and his client, a lifelong friend. 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 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 logist ics of access and construct ion presented some difficulties. The solution was, quite simply, collaboration – group conversations in which everyone felt empowered to share their ideas. 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. 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. 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, afternoon-easing-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. 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.