Freshwater Place Apartment
An apartment on the fifty-sixth floor is like a theatre box from which to view the city.
Completely re-planned to accommodate a couple with a growing family, spaces for family engagement are balanced with others for retreat within a small footprint.
A series of devices for dividing space, some fabric with others more deliberately sliding or hinged panels, allow for separation of the living spaces. A central amenity core is the main fixed element with perimeter navigation that peels off into habitable rooms.
A continuous vertical texture is applied to many materials and envelopes the interior – customised oak timber wall panelling, sheer fabric curtains and upholstered furniture. Realising this aspect required a collaboration with remarkably skilled makers. Traditional timber turning crafted the timber panelling. The folded brass kitchen shelves were developed alongside an octogenarian metal fabricator. The upholsterer wrapped leather around steel shelves, curved drawer fronts and bedhead panels.
The custom timber dining table with recessed orbiting vessels reflects the clients’ different but overlapping trajectories.
The new layout has been inserted within an existing apartment shell. The re-planning of the layout has allowed most rooms to gain natural light and views.
A custom timber wall lining features heavily in the apartment and reappears on joinery items throughout.
The unusual circumstance of being immersed entirely in the city skyline whilst distanced enough to admire the city heart, inspired the perimeter to become defined by a diaphanous fabric layer that navigates around the existing column structure.
The space was to feel calm yet joyful, natural timbers doing most of the work to ground oneself.
Intense colour, pattern and texture are utilised at various locations to reflect individuality and provide surprise.
The materials used are durable and robust and will age gracefully as they take the bumps and knocks of daily life.
The human touch is evident throughout and relished by clients who appreciate its value.
