2016 Gallery
Winner: Australian House of the Year
Chenchow Little for Darling Point Apartment
This apartment fit-out is designed for empty-nesters who wanted all the features of their original family home within a significantly smaller footprint. The clientÂ’s extensive artwork collection is innovatively displayed within flexible joinery, allowing the client a curatorial role with its display.
Jury Citation
Nothing about this home is average – from the significant collection of Australian art it houses, to the spectacular view it embraces – and Chenchow Little’s refined and surprising design is the perfect match. The interior is reminiscent of the 1950s dwellings of postwar immigrant-s, where an appreciation for art was reflected in every part of the home design. This project represents a more refined interpretation.
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.
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.
Chenchow Little has created a warm, sophisticated home with a few surprises. The striking interior is immediately appealing but reveals its beauty in the detail.
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.
