Technē’s brief for this warehouse transformation in Prahran was for ‘a gallery first, then a home’. Although the clients were interested in living in a comfortable house, they were also keen to have sufficient wall and floor space for their significant collection of contemporary art.
Location
The Traditional Custodians of this land
Completion
Site Area
Gross Floor Area
Services
Interior Design
Photographer
Retaining the original structure
The red brick shell was retained and within this structure, two layers were inserted: one being in situ concrete and the other black steel. To provide all the spaces required, the entire roof was lifted. Set behind the original façade, the approach to the gallery on the ground floor is via a modest courtyard garden. This creates a sense of privacy and allows western light to enter.
“We loved the idea of creating buildings inside a building. The characterful old gritty warehouse shell provided a secure compound where we could set a series of robust new structures within punctuated with courtyards and light wells to form the art residence as a secluded urban sanctuary.”
– Nick Travers, Director
Set behind the original façade, the approach to the gallery is via a modest courtyard garden.
This creates a sense of privacy and allows western light to enter. Once through the steel and glass front door, the art jostles for space. Simply divided into two large gallery spaces, with the black steel angular staircase loosely forming a division.
“Both of us love the juxtaposition of the warehouse’s organic brick walls, the concrete and steel construction and our contemporary art. There is a great relationship that seems to live amongst these elements and we feel it every time we walk in the door.”
– Client
The materials reflect the owners request for a strong industrial aesthetic, as well as responding to the building’s light industrial history. In keeping with this sensibility, the kitchen and living areas are also dark and moody, featuring black-stained veneer joinery, concrete walls and floor, together with black burnt timber ceiling, a backdrop for the large canvases.
Contemporary and robust
Shou Sugi Ban burnt timber finish.
Retention of existing brickwork of existing warehouse walls.
Black metal standing seam cladding.
