SJB Director Tony Battersby talks to Nicole Haddow about urban privacy and making it visually appealing for people living inside and viewing from outside.

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

sjb.com.au

(Editor’s Note: Nicole Haddow is an independent freelance writer, she is not related to SJB Director Adam Haddow.)