Jury comment
Darling Point Apartment is an inspirational piece of interior design that is both innovative and excellent. The exquisitely crafted interior effortlessly serves as a gallery to the owner’s high-calibre art collection. This is an enduring and endearing project in the context of Australian residential design.
Design statement
This apartment fitout seeks to capture the faceting geometry of the original 1970s apartment building to give it a renewed life. The client’s extensive artwork collection is innovatively displayed with flexible joinery, allowing the client a curatorial role with its display. The apartment is designed for “empty nesters” downsizing from a large, formal family home to a small apartment. The client requested a degree of formality but also sought something novel and surprising to the interior. As a significant benefactor to the Australian art community, the client wished for the apartment to accommodate thirty to forty paintings and sculptures from a previous dwelling. Significant challenges included how to house the large quantity of historically important Australian artwork within limited surface area, and how to reconcile the display of artwork with the breathtaking views and functional planning of the apartment.
The Premier Award for Australian Interior Design is supported by Forbo Flooring Systems. The Australian Interior Design Awards are presented by the Design Institute of Australia and Artichoke magazine. For more images of this project, see the Australian Interior Design Awards gallery.
