POTTS POINT UNIT, 2024
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Item description
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Project Brief & Design Intent
Set within a boutique 1980s apartment building in Potts Point, this project marks a transition toward a more deliberate and simplified way of living.
Largely unchanged since its original construction, the apartment no longer supported the evolving needs of its owners. The brief called for a complete internal reconfiguration — not to expand, but to refine — improving light, flow and spatial clarity within the existing footprint.
A continuous living environment was introduced, allowing kitchen, dining and lounge areas to operate as one cohesive space. The eastern aspect required careful moderation, with automated blinds integrated to control glare and heat gain while preserving natural light throughout the day.
Lighting design was approached with equal intent, supporting both daily use and the display of artwork — reinforcing a calm, gallery-like quality.
The project required a highly controlled and disciplined construction methodology, shaped by the realities of working within an occupied multi-residential building.
Positioned on the 16th floor, all materials, tools and waste had to be transported via shared lifts under strict time constraints. This significantly influenced sequencing, requiring detailed planning and coordination to maintain efficiency without disrupting other residents.
Noise control, cleanliness and respect for the building’s occupants were prioritised throughout. Each stage of the build was carefully managed to minimise impact, while maintaining momentum on site.
Within these constraints, craftsmanship remained central. The execution of complex finishes — including parquet flooring, integrated joinery and large-format tiling — required precision and consistency. The outcome reflects a build that is both technically resolved and carefully detailed.
Construction & Craftsmanship
Material Palette
Material selection was restrained and performance-driven, with an emphasis on durability, comfort and long-term use:
→ American oak herringbone parquet flooring with brass inlay border, installed over high-performance acoustic insulation
→ Bespoke joinery integrated across kitchen, pantry, living areas, bedrooms and wet zones
→ Smart home system controlling lighting and electrical functions throughout
→ Full replacement of the air conditioning system to stabilise internal conditions and protect artwork and furnishings
→ Large-format tiles to all wet areas with refined border detailing
Rather than introducing contrast, the palette works to unify the space — creating continuity, warmth and a sense of quiet refinement.
Client & Architect Experience
This project builds on a long-standing relationship between builder, client and architect, developed over multiple projects and many years.
That continuity brought clarity and efficiency to the process, with decisions grounded in a shared understanding of expectations, detail and outcome. The collaboration reflects an evolving brief — from earlier family homes to a more resolved, personal environment suited to a different stage of life.
The process was defined by trust, consistency and a mutual commitment to quality.
Outcome
Potts Point Unit is a carefully resolved renovation that demonstrates the value of disciplined construction within constraint.
The apartment has been transformed from a dated layout into a cohesive and highly functional living environment, where light, material and proportion are more deliberately controlled. Improvements are not expressed through scale, but through precision — in how the space is organised, detailed and experienced.
The result is a calm and enduring interior that supports everyday living while accommodating art, comfort and long-term use — a space that feels resolved rather than reworked.
