The Wurundjeri People and The Bunurong People
Victoria
This project is an adaptive reuse of a long-vacant caretaker’s apartment within Fairlie, a heritage-listed modernist residential tower completed in 1961 by Yuncken Freeman Brothers, Griffiths & Simpson. The intervention reactivates the ground level with a new boutique wellness centre for residents, accessed from the foyer and opening onto a private courtyard.
Designed with deep respect for Fairlie’s architectural legacy, the project works quietly within the existing fabric rather than contrasting with it. Drawing on the building’s modernist principles, the interior is defined by calm, restraint and material honesty. A refined palette of custom terrazzo, pale European oak veneer, off-white surfaces and natural brass detailing creates a serene and timeless atmosphere.
A bespoke terrazzo, developed in reference to the original lobby finishes, unifies floors, joinery and detailing, while a new skylight introduces generous natural light. The result is a subtle, contemporary intervention that enhances resident wellbeing and enriches everyday communal life.
Wellness is defined by holistic integration of physical, mental and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind and nurturing the spirit. Because we know Architecture at it’s best has exactly the same properties, we sought out the exemplary Wood Marsh … They have beautifully and dextrously conceived and executed the first architectural intervention of the iconic Yuncken Freeman ‘Fairlie’ in sixty five years. Creating an immersive, mono-tonally drenched and materially rich series of spaces … They have been both respectful of the legacy of this place but also single-handedly reinvented the understanding we as residents have for this special place…