With views to the ocean as well as the Sydney harbour, the Barnes McManus apartment in Bondi is blessed with great location value, but faced the common problem of being cramped and old.
“The building was really dilapidated. It had structural problems and was very tired,” says Hannah Tribe of Tribe Studio Architects, the architect in charge of the project. “[It was] in dire need of some attention.”
The resulting refurbishments addressed the challenges of a small apartment, creating clever storage solutions and transforming the place into a cosy home with a cheerful beach backdrop.
Spectacular views from the apartment are now framed by intricate joinery displays, which are hoop ply with white Laminex and polyurethane – a product Tribe says is a favourite.
“I love the use of plywood where we show the end grain, but conceal the face with Laminex. It is a really durable solution that adds a hint of timber warmth without being overwhelming.”
Most of the living areas are decked out in greige and white, but bold orange elements keep things interesting by adding a pop of colour to the otherwise minimalistic apartment.
The colour of the walls, which can work to enlarge and enliven spaces, was also a key factor considered during the design process. In Apartment Barnes McManus, Dulux paints with a golden feature colour are used. This colour appears in the splashback and also in concealed bulkheads so that a soft, golden glow is reflected in the apartment, adding to the cosiness of the home.
The flooring complements the layout and feel of the apartment, with a comfortable, pure wool carpet by Cavallier Bremworth running along the living areas. In the new kitchen, which was built to celebrate the clients’ love for cooking and entertaining, classic marble floor tiles were chosen for practical and aesthetic reasons.
To combat the incredibly tight spaces, the kitchen was streamlined with a 600mm deep integrated Leibherr fridge. Cupboards and shelves for home wares and cutlery were installed in unusual but functional places, anticipating and resolving the clutter that comes with any cooking area.
On this simple yet quirky apartment, Tribe notes that the renovations succeeded in converting the tired home into a clean, efficient and adaptable space to live in.
“The space is now really flexible – for entertaining, working from home, cooking up a big feast. Previously, it suffered from the lack of storage, [and] when you don't have clever storage, you can't control the spread of stuff everywhere,” says Tribe.
Photography by Amanda Prior. Click here for more images.
