Avenue Apartment is a new apartment over two existing shops. The owners occupy the property during the working week. At other times the property is let on a short stay basis. The brief required robust materiality and detailing as much as comfort and character.

Sustainability was considered at every stage of the project. Passive solar design, sun –shading and cross ventilation are integral to the design as are features such as upper level ceiling fans, solar hot water, and low VOC materials and finishes.

The design is an exploration of spatial and textural experience. Natural materials such as timber and stone are used for their textural qualities, screening elements and joinery units define spaces without separating them, large sliding panels zone heating and cooling areas and allow for acoustic separation. A hidden entry provides access into a double height circulation zone with full height timber screening dividing vertical and horizontal movement. Am open timber stair provides texture, light and shade. Living and sleeping spaces sit between circulation and outdoor living zones. Concrete floors provide a robust surface to living spaces and a textured neutral backdrop to dark timber and stone joinery. The kitchen is integrated with the living zone and a lockable walk in pantry provides owners private storage. White walls are avoided. Thermally broken double glazed window walls allow for a strong visual and conceptual interconnection with the outdoor living zone. Second floor balconies, steel framing and varied soffit heights define figured outdoor rooms. Bedrooms have raked ceilings and ceiling fans to minimize the use of air-conditioning. Bathrooms are tiled in textured grey and stone tones and an ensuite bath is located with screened views. Second floor balconies sit comfortably in the heritage context with operable layered screening providing scale, texture, privacy, sun-shading and exciting light and shadow effects.