Rich Timber joinery with unexpected, marquetry-like details forms the dark and dramatic spine at the centre of this apartment by architects Peter McGregor and Julia English before opening out to a luminous living zone with softly sculpted curves and spectacular harbour views.
Looking back to the kitchen with its light island bench and the ‘dark core’ beyond. Joinery by David Reddy Furniture in Smoked Oak and whitewashed American Oak veneers by Briggs Veneers and ‘Maximum Ice’ matt porcelain benchtop and sides from Artedomus. ‘Hi Pad’ stools by Jasper Morrison from Cult. Surface-mounted spotlights in White from Koda Lighting. Whitewashed American oak parquetry in herringbone pattern.
What was the brief?
Peter McGregor: We have previously designed another house that the clients own to which, over the years, we have added a retractable and theatrical shade structure and a minimalist shed. Everything is always carefully talked through and tested. They are very interested in design and how things work. The Kirribilli brief was for a complete refurbishment, including the layout of the kitchen, dining, living areas and ensuite. We invited Julia English to work with us as we were understaffed and she came highly recommended.
The Dorothy Napangardi artwork set the tone for the dark core that extends to the entry lobby. All other finishes are in a light, high key. Flexform ‘Wing’ sofa from Fanuli. Artek ‘406’ armchairs from Anibou. Vitra ‘Noguchi’ coffee table from Living Edge on a rug from Natural Floorcovering Centres.
Inspired by the Opera House’s unbuilt interiors, the foyer is a theatrical space where stained-oak walls are spliced with geometric inserts of ultramarine, vermilion and gold before transitioning into kitchen joinery.
What were the challenges of the space and how did you resolve them?
PM: The typical challenges of apartment interiors are the limitations imposed by existing service stacks. The clients engaged builder Paul Brandon, now retired, who with foreman Joe Mansour had just renovated the apartment above, so we were able to rework some plumbing and mechanical services to reorganise the layout. We moved the kitchen into the middle of the plan enabling the dining room to have its own view of the Opera House and the living room to be more expansive. The ensuite was rearranged to hide the toilet and provide views from the bath and shower. Much time was spent on the planning of this in concert with the builder.
The dining room’s simple setting plays foil to the rich detail in the Dorothy Napangardi artwork from Kate Owen Gallery, which is illuminated by a ‘Slim Light PRO’ picture light in Aged Bronze from Est Lighting and spotlights from Koda Lighting in a custom ceiling recess. Kristalia ‘Maki’ dining table from Fanuli, Thonet ‘S 32 V’ chairs from Anibou and porcelain tableware by Studio Enti.
Joinery in Smoked Oak veneer by Briggs Veneers contains all services, including kitchen fixtures. Ovens from Gaggenau. Benchtop, splashback and surround in Maximum ‘Pepper’ porcelain sheets from Artedomus. Emily Belle Ellis bowl from The DEA Store. ‘Hi Pad’ stool by Jasper Morrison from Cult.
How would you describe the completed interior?
Julia English: Composed, framed and episodic. The two major influences were the dress circle views of Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, and a large black and white painting by Dorothy Napangardi. The painting was so rich and powerful we thought that by placing it on an equally rich finish the black and white paint would shine, while being held within the space. This finish became the ‘dark core’, a unifying spine along the length of the apartment, from lobby to living room and back into the main bedroom and ensuite. It contains the services, including bathrooms, bedroom and study thresholds, guest WC, kitchen fixtures and robes. All other finishes, walls, floors and ceilings were high key and harmonious to enable the dress circle views to sing.
The curved wall and counter-curved ceiling read sculpturally in the space. Window reveals in Maximum ‘Saturn’ porcelain sheets from Artedomus.
What are some your favourite elements?
PM: The very theatrical lobby wall which creates a sense of entry and connection to the dark core. Secondly, the curve and counter curves on the walls and ceiling which reconcile and integrate the radial geometry of an existing wall into what is an otherwise orthogonal space. JE: The scheme is 50 per cent joinery and hence we used this to hide the services and unify elements, which maximised the sense of space.
A rich, green linoleum is inlaid on the desk and wall in the study niche with joinery in Smoked Oak veneer by Briggs Veneers. Phillip Jeffries ‘East Winds’ grasscloth wallcovering from Preston Hunter Interiors. Baker ‘Thassos’ stool from Studio Cavit. Viabizzuno ‘Roy’ table lamp from VBO Australia. On shelves are a ceramic vase by Emma Young from The DEA Store and ‘Branch’ vase from Dinosaur Designs.
The other side of the dark core defines the second bedroom threshold and provides a niche for a painting by Anna Petyarre. Society Limonta throw from Ondene.
What informed the selection of furniture, art, fittings and finishes?
JE: The paintings by Dorothy Napangardi and the dress-circle views. The use of a restrained palette meant that a subtle richness could be applied in the material textures and detail, such as the brass framing of the porcelain, smoked mirror at the bar, green lino inlay on the desk, orange finish inside the study drawers, gold leaf in the lobby wall and so on.
The dark core terminates at the master bedroom. Brass and pale oak frame the internal ensuite window which is privacy controlled at a switch. ‘Serenade’ bed from King. Society Limonta bed linen and throw from Ondene. Artwork by Sarita King from Kate Owen Gallery. Walls finished in Smoked Oak and American Oak veneers from Briggs Veneers.
In the ensuite views are captured from the shower and the bath as well as the mirror from Viridian Glass. Appaiser ‘Oman’ stone bath from Just Bathroomware. Astra Walker ‘Icon’ floor-mounted mixer in Aged Brass from Just Bathroomware. Walls and floors in porcelain sheets from Artedomus.
Were the owners happy with the execution?
PM: The clients have a place to retreat to but also entertain in. “We have a place that exudes simplicity and calm, which is still highly functional,” they say. mwarchitects.com.au
