New South Wales
Timeless architecture requires minimal intervention, and one of Harry Seidler’s 25-year-old fan-shaped Horizon apartments, needed a restrained alteration to meet contemporary needs, leveraging good design to increase flexibility of use and minimise environmental footprint.
Twenty-six floors up, the sky’s presence is felt in every nook. The design removes walls that blocked views, light and flow. The joinery doubles as dividers, mirrors on flanking walls augment the views and the line marking the balcony’s concrete cantilevered beam is extended into the interior as a datum line, lifting the perceived ceiling height.
A series of moveable walls slide, pivot or fold to create multiple living modes: an open-plan loft, a traditional one-bedroom, or a temporary two-bedroom space that provides privacy to work from home, practise yoga or host an overnight visitor.
This project’s joyful simplicity flows from a conversation between the client, the practice, Seidler’s original intentions and our current urban reality.
“Stephen has transformed our “city pad” creating (a) clever, multi-functional and multi-purpose space giving us the choice of a studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment. The materials, colours and design have enhanced our way of living. We now have amazing views from our bathroom and bedroom and a lot more useful space. Stephen’s talents have gifted us with the choice to now live in the apartment permanently. Friends can stay overnight with a fold down bed or that same area can give us a hobby room, office or just privacy. Stephen Collier has enriched our lives by exceeding our high expectations.”
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
