Situated amongst nature in the city, Carlton Apartment redesign breathes new contemporary life and light into an old Melbourne home. The clever use of joinery along with the reorientation of rooms to embrace surrounding gardens, creates a functional home that echoes the owners need for versatile and reflective spaces.

The ageing apartment needed to be realigned with the owner's needs, giving it new purpose and usability. The idea was to create a reflective and calm space that incorporates nature and takes advantage of the position alongside Carlton Gardens. A small space to work within, there was a need to maximise available floorspace through integrated joinery, to create a new home office as well as maximise storage.

Light was a significant factor in determining materials. Being a south facing apartment, it had a tendency towards darkness. We chose a light colour palette that included white stone, light grey joinery, and oak flooring to help draw much needed natural brightness into the space. Mirrors were also utilised in the kitchen and bathroom to help amplify lightness as well as give a sense of additional space.

Location: Carlton, VIC
Country: Wurundjeri
Construction: Demardi
Photography: Dan Preston
Complete: 2020