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 American Hardwood Export Council promotes the works of next-gen designers through Discovered Singapore exhibition happening from 16 to 22 May at Red Dot Design Museum Singapore.
‘The Elevation of Gravity’ installation was an immersive showcase of innovation that heralded the debut of Gaggenau’s groundbreaking Essential Induction cooktop.
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Brisabane-based Blok Furniture have announced some exciting news for their Australian distribution network.
Alex Fitzpatrick, winner of Big River’s Timber to Tokyo competition, brings us his impressions of Tokyo Designers Week 2011.
The Urban Taskforce Australia today commented on Australian Beaureua of Statistics (ABS) findings that Victoria is leading the way in new home approvals, ahead of Queensland and New South Wales. Urban Taskforce chief executive, Aaron Gadiel, says the findings suggest the state shows signs of recovery, while NSW and Queensland remain unsteady. “Unlike NSW and […]
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Melbourne’s Wall to Wall festival has just taken place, transforming neglected urban spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity through large-scale mural works by renowned artists.
Next up in our series, we hear from Sally Evans MDIA, Design and Colour Consultant, and Director at Nexus Designs.