Duplex & the City: Stunning dwelling by Luigi Rosselli Architects
Located in Potts Point, Sydney, this stunning dwelling with two apartments was renovated by Luigi Rosselli Architects.
Just 40% of the original building was demolished, mainly the rooms at the back of the property, and replaced by a modern four-storey structure with a basement carpark and cellar, a ground floor garden apartment and a two-storey penthouse.
“The front of the property, with its original Queen Anne leadlight windows, liver toned brickwork and timber shingles, was left intact to preserve the building’s consistency with the prevailing style of the street," explained the architects.
"No one would believe that behind those refined front rooms the apartments would morph into modern open living spaces with generous terraces that allow the inhabitants to admire the views of the city, populated with skyscrapers designed by Renzo Piano, Sir Norman Foster and Ingenhoven Architects, and enjoy glimpses of Sydney Harbour beyond,” they added.
The duality of the design also reflects the residents’ personalities: loaded with old world culture and family history, yet passionate about modern art, architecture and urban living.
“Here the interior architecture plays greater role than in a more spacious suburban setting,” said the architects.
The use of every millimetre has been carefully planned to condense the content of a large house into the city pad. The joinery was designed by Project Architect, Jane McNeill, who wanted to provide as much storage space as possible for the owners.
“The cultured owners could not part with their books, so Jane created for them a library and study area with room for a comfortable arm chair, tucked beside the Jacobs Ladder stair that climbs to a glazed roof hatch and a landscaped roof terrace and a spa pool with a city skyline backdrop.”
In the living room, bookcases and a television blend in amongst the owner’s collected art, including paintings by Euan McLeod and Sali Herman, and their design classic furniture pieces including a Hans J Wegner 'Papa Bear' wingback chair and ottoman.
“The internal stair of the penthouse needs to compete with a lift, and so provides a pleasurable and sensual ascension to the upper living spaces. Placed between the old and new parts of the building it forms a vertical and horizontal connection,” concluded the architects.
Photography by: Justin Alexander / Edward Birch
