This apartment on the 2nd level of a prestigious Darling Point security tower commands glorious wraparound views featuring Sydney Harbour, the iconic Harbour Bridge, Opera House and boat filled Rushcutters Bay.

The existing apartment was pulled down to allow for an entirely redefined interior footprint. By rethinking the floor plan, the internal layout was expanded upon to include a new library retreat, gallery, double study and powder room. The use of custom designed, full-height joinery to subdivide the internal spaces was a key design feature of the project.

The client’s brief was to create a sophisticated and relaxed interior that reflected the ambience of the surrounding Sydney Harbour landscape. Having downsized from a large heritage-listed family home in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, emphasis was placed on consciously curating the client’s extensive fine art and object art collection to connect with the new contemporary interior environment

Design Team:
Madeline Lester (AM) + Isabella Karpathios

Awards:
Australian Institute of Architects National Awards 2017 - Entry

Architect:
Architectural Projects – Gary O’Reilly

Builder:
A & DR Illes

Photographer:
Richard Glover

The Penthouse at Toft Monks is located in a unique and highly sought after area of the Sydney Harbour foreshore. With an uninterrupted northerly aspect as well as unique views to the east, west and south the Penthouse entertains the four basic elements of life: air, fire, water and earth.

Conceived as a luxurious penthouse, the interior design called for unwavering attention to these four elements through materials, craftsmanship and design. The Penthouse interiors were defined by a sensitive selection of products from both Australian and international designers, as well as an inherent appreciation for detailed construction, culture, texture, pattern and materials.

Cocooned in a palette of cool hues, oak flooring, silk carpets and stone slabs, the interior offers a sensitivity to the surrounding landscape that gives the Penthouse a strong sense of place. Designed to be a place of retreat and ambiance, picture windows and floor to ceiling glass sliding doors frame incredible views and provide quiet drama from within.

Influenced by the works of French designer Christian Liaigre, both private and living areas house a sophisticated collection of hand-crafted artefacts, art and oriental details. The penthouse was sold just prior to construction.

Design Team:
Madeline Lester (AM) + Isabella Karpathios

CGI’s:
Ivolve Studios

This new home is located on the southern ridges of Sydney Harbour at the crest of a gully which feeds into Vaucluse Bay. The site is characterized by a series of rock shelves, palm trees and mature eucalypt.

The client brief was to provide a family home with generous amenity. Attention was placed on reflecting the home’s relationship to the landscape with a design emphasis on the varying floor levels which echo the existing rock shelf. The central staircase acts as the spine of the home with primary interior spaces branching off from it, allowing a visual connection to the outside landscape to be maintained.

The primary palette of off form concrete, recycled Ironbark, Basaltina stone and Burnt Ash provided a rich, warm palette of texture and materials. The use of indirect lighting was a key feature of the project which was used to enhance the detailed joinery.

Design Team:
Madeline Lester (AM)

Awards:
Houses Awards 2014 - Finalist

Architect:
MHN Design Union Architects – Brian Meyerson + Sebastian Kaintoch

Builder:
Milan Nidzovic – Nick Nidzovic

Photographer:
Richard Glover