Spring Street

With intimate knowledge of the building, the opportunity to restore an apartment to its imagined former glory was too good to refuse. Situated at the northeastern corner of Melbourne's CBD, the site is 28 stories of concrete and brick, a solid 1970s contribution to architecture where materials and structure take precedence over embellishment.

As one enters the apartment, there's a sense that this space is designed not only for living but for celebrating life. Taking inspiration from Parliament Station below, designed by McIntyre and Partners in 1974, the ceiling is clad in lightweight aluminum extrusions. The light and colour of the exterior are amplified by the ceiling, providing an infinite sense of space with little need for artificial light, even during the evening.

With views to the east, north, and west, the focus of the project is the constantly changing expansive horizon. The ever-evolving view becomes the protagonist, with the inhabitants of the interior remaining the audience, looking out to seemingly thousands of willing actors in the distance.

The interior material palette is reduced to concrete, silver aluminum, and brass, with moments of color fitting the era of the original building. Rich Tasmanian blackwood timber paneling wraps around the space, providing warmth and texture.

The bedrooms are a lesson in serenity and simplicity, with beds aimed toward panoramic views down Little Collins Street, while the solid brass bathrooms harken back to the luxury and optimism of a bygone era.