Darling Point Apartment

This award-winning refurbishment of an apartment in Sydney’s Darling Point by Chenchow Little Architects eschews simple surface treatments to embrace the unusual geometry of the original 1970s building. Designed for a couple downsizing from a large family home, the 160m2 apartment celebrates the unexpected to make the most of the space. The living space occupies three structural bays, each with a different orientation and geometry that adds visual dynamism to the interior. Openings can be closed off to create more intimate spaces, or opened to frame the views and provide connections. The lighting track follows the unique faceted geometry of the room, and the floorboards and timber ceiling emphasise these angles and play with perspective to give a sense of elongation. Warm, honey-brown timber is the primary material throughout, offering dramatic contrast with the views of the harbour and a striking backdrop for the owners’ extensive art collection. The American oak joinery elements are complemented by Tongue & Groove solid engineered European oak floorboards in the Chamoisee colour that wrap around the floor and ceiling. The soft colouring and Classic Grade textured finish of the timber allows the distinctive grain to shine through, adding texture and depth to the interior. This stunning apartment was awarded the top prize at the 2016 Australian Interior Design Awards, as well as winning a Residential Award and a Best of State Award for New South Wales, and was announced as Australian House of the Year in the 2016 Houses Awards.