Australian Capital Territory
A small apartment on the Kingston Foreshore is reconfigured to accommodate a young couple’s desire to retain the amenity of an inner-city location, new flexible working arrangements, a first child and improve accessibility for a family member.
The existing internal layout of the apartment was a-typical to most stock, a wide and shallow internal footprint with extensive glazing offered excellent access to natural light. Under-utilized volume created by building geometry and a winter balcony with hob-step, suggested potential for reconfiguration. All additions and alterations were made to augment and complement the existing apartment function and materiality.
Three sculptural joinery compositions nestle into the existing apartment configuration and act as ordering devices to control the scale, geometry, light and function of all living spaces. Each composition consists of a multitude of storage options for everyday items as well as client specifics.
This project shows how the successful re-purposing of an under-utilised winter garden integrated with a cleverly designed central dividing joinery element delivers a combination of new rooms and practical storage solutions. The meticulously detailed FinPly built-in elements with integrated lighting are highly resolved in their form and function.
Overall, this finely executed renovation of a one-bedroom apartment demonstrates how thoughtful design thinking and beautifully crafted joinery can create delightful, seductive and highly functional solutions for tight spaces.
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.
