SJB Director Tony Battersby talks to Nicole Haddow about urban privacy and making it visually appealing for people living inside and viewing from outside.
June 7th, 2013
As the demand for property in vibrant urban activity centres grows, so does the need to create aesthetically appealing solutions that give a sense of quiet seclusion while still being integrated into the heat of the action.
Set back from Chapel Street, behind a heritage property that has been retained, Rue de Chapel adds modern texture to this hotspot near Greville Street.
When Tony Battersby and his team were conceiving the Rue de Chapel design, it was essential to give residents an architecturally compelling home that fitted in eclectic Prahran. The challenge was to ensure that abundant natural light could seep in without decreasing the resident’s right to homely discretion.
The solution was to apply perforated screens to the façade made from perforated aluminium sheet with a powder-coat finish. It appears from the outside to be an artistic wallpaper of gunmetal grey and silver leaves, while from the inside these shapes serve as a sheer veil that provides a moody balance of light and shade hidden away from the bustle of Chapel Street.
Battersby prides himself on delivering innovative solutions for people who want an urban lifestyle but don’t want to feel as if their home is open to public viewing.
“The graphic is an artistic contribution to Chapel Street’s layered streetscape. It also gives residents an additional point of difference and the luxury of seclusion in a dynamic suburb,” Battersby explains.
The façade screens also slide open easily, giving homeowners access to the sights and sounds that make this location so desirable.
“There’s a fluidity to the space for both residents and pedestrians taking in the streetscape,” Battersby points out. “The façade is constantly changing as the residents come and go.”
SJB
(Editor’s Note: Nicole Haddow is an independent freelance writer, she is not related to SJB Director Adam Haddow.)
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
What defines the luxury resort of 2017? As the goalposts of modern travel continue to shift, Mim Design offers up a vision of post-millenium luxe with the news Sheraton Mirage in Port Douglas. Welcome to resort living 2.0. Determined to balance the exoticism of 1980s glamour with time-honoured contemporary design, Mim Design lobbied for elements of the original hotel to be preserved and even reinstated.
Building on a profound depth of experience, Kristen Whittle is orchestrating his very own studio with a humanistic design philosophy based on care.
How does one design for authenticity – particularly in the realm of hotel design? At INSIDE (World Festival of Interiors), Lyndon Neri of Neri&Hu suggested it comes down to an obsessive determination to stay true to the meaning of a place. Narelle Yabuka reports.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Elevate your experience with Saturday Indesign’s VIP Studio Bus Tours.
Focusing on facade and green design, this pair of office blocks is designed to meet the most contemporary demands of workplace design.