Graced with the most stunning views of Sydney harbour, the impetus for the interior design of this luxury duplex penthouse was to allow full access to the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge from every corner of the home. The design embraces the open plan. Walls are broken down across the entire entertainment floor and between bedrooms and bathrooms creating dramatic interior spaces. Views are strategically revealed through the sequence of spaces from the framed view of the Opera House at the foyer, the harbour panorama from the living spaces, the bridge seen through the glazed fireplace, the reflections of the Opera House on surfaces as you turn your back to get a drink at the bar and to the expansive views from the bed and the shower.
The interior design revolves around the client’s passion for entertaining and book collecting, highlights of which are integrated throughout the entire apartment’s custom millwork. The kitchen disappears, while the fully stocked bar takes precedence. An oversized book case fills the sitting area and lines the windows. The minimal design allows the project’s materiality and the detailing to be experienced in a tactile way. The black-stained oak and white material palette is applied to reinforce the pull toward the harbour. Looking toward the windows, the dark backdrop recedes behind you while the white wall paneling and bright views draw you out. Moving upstairs to the private areas of the home the palette is softened by the removal of the stain from the timber. This reveals the most beautiful natural oak finish in the bedrooms. The same drive to open the spaces below is applied to the three bedrooms. The boundary between bedrooms and bathrooms are blurred, creating unique spaces with spectacular views of the harbour enjoyed even at the most private spaces of the home.
Kurt Arnold, photographer