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An Apartment is Crowned House of the Year

Lifestyle
7 years ago
2 minutes

An apartment in the prestigious Sydney suburb of Darling Point has just been crowned the House Awards’ highest honour, taking out the Australian House of the Year.

If ever there was a sign apartment-living is slowly but surely becoming the norm, then perhaps this could be it.

An apartment in the prestigious Sydney suburb of Darling Point has just been crowned the House Awards’ highest honour, taking out the Australian House of the Year.

The win signifies Australia’s shift in behaviour when it comes to apartment-living, as more and more empty-nesters choose to downsize, and an increasing amount of buyers opt for vertical living.

Designed by Sydney firm Chenchow Little, the Darling Point apartment was acknowledged for its low-fuss fit out – which was designed for empty-nesters who want all of the features of their original home – just with a smaller footprint.

The innovative way the residents have displayed their extensive and impressive art collection within a smaller space was also a major factor.

The clever design allows the apartment to showcase up to 40 pieces of art and sculptures by a wealth of renowned artists.

“The bright Esther Stewart artwork in the lift sits in contrast to the floating American oak and painted white steel joinery that define each room and elongate the sense of spatial depth. The timber is repeated on the floors and ceiling, intensifying the contrast to the views of the harbour beyond,” the jury noted.

“There is much joy in what lies behind the surface. Open the moveable panels and you might find a Jeffrey Smart or John Coburn painting. Open the door to a bathroom and you step into another world – each is unique, providing contrast to the monochrome palette of the main rooms.

That an apartment has been named the Australian House of the Year reflects a shift in the way many Australians live today. This project also demonstrates that an apartment can be designed with the same warmth and sophistication as a detached house.”

For the full list of winners, head to the House Awards website