This 1920’s furniture factory/warehouse is in the middle of a residential area in the inner west of Sydney. When bought by the current owners, it was almost completely open plan, lacking in storage or privacy, with a bright blue shipping container in the middle of the living area. There was no way of getting it out without removing the front of the building, so we embraced it, painting it in an interesting shade of orange. The owners and we felt it was crucial to embrace the industrial feel of the building but they also wanted it to be a warm and comfortable home for their young family.
We demolished much of the previous fit-out, which was disjointed and clumsy, except for the footprint of the mezzanine floor. On this level, we created a private master suite as well as guest and a child’s bedroom with ample storage and a new second staircase linking the new bedroom wing to the ground level. We touched the building lightly, retaining as much as possible of the original. On the ground level, we opened up the dining area with new steel and glass doors to bring in north light and connect to the courtyard. The new kitchen is practical and tailored to our clients’ style of cooking, nuanced with an industrial feel.
The builders were a pleasure to work with and a great asset to the project with their meticulous attention to detail and flexibility. It is now a fully functional home for the family, light floods in through new skylights and the shipping container makes a great playroom.
Photographed by:
Shannon McGrath
