A Gentleman's Residence in the Sky by Amber Road

Beginning with a post-demolition concrete shell, Amber Road successfully transformed this Sydney apartment into a highly considered and downright sexy penthouse. Form and function went hand-in-hand from the outset, with multi-functionality essential in maximizing storage capacity in the 80sqm interior. Rather than direct all the attention toward the surrounding harbour views (though beautiful), the designers aimed to create a richly layered interior that spoke for itself.

An avid host with frequent interstate and overseas guests, the client wanted a versatile space that could accommodate both intimate dinners and large gatherings, and overnight guests. Innovative custom and built-in elements ensure that everything has its place, and that some things are much more than what they seem.

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Take for example the decorative grey stained panel with ochre linear pulls in the living room. It’s a background to watch movies on, with a projector concealed within the timber-clad ceiling, but pull on the handle and a Murphy bed folds down, suitable for sleepovers. Custom timbre louvered screens can divide and screen this area from the dining room, giving the option of either a bright and airy open living space, or a moody second bedroom.

A bank of black curved cabinetry divides the kitchen and master bedroom, and doubles as both storage in the kitchen, and a ledge and robe in the bedroom. The master ensuite is essentially entirely custom. A custom pink terrazzo basin is affixed to a hand poured grey terrazzo tapered blade wall, below a custom loose vanity mirror with ochre stained timber base and smoked wedged mirror. A large custom wall-hung mirror sits beside, with a powder-coated metal frame and ledge.

‘The client’s bubblegum pink spectacles, which he wore during our first encounter, informed colour palettes throughout, mainly the custom pink terrazzo basin the master ensuite,” says Yasmine Ghoniem of Amber Road.

The original layout necessitated complex building work to achieve a logical flow. The kitchen, in particular, was located on the opposite side of the apartment to where it stands now. Services were run through screeds and up through an oversized drum detail, which serves as one of the legs supporting the kitchen island. A conventional kitchen island would have interfered with balcony access, so Amber Road instead designed a curved form that allows a clear path, and transforms a typically functional element into a sculptural piece.

Material choices are dark and sumptuous; comprising terrazzo, chocolate timbers and stone, notably the Brocatello di Spagna marble that forms the kitchen splash back. Thoughtful elements serve to display the client’s collection of art and sculpture. Made with vintage ticking material, the custom pendant light that hands over the black timber dining table can be lowered or raised high above the table for a full view of the client’s favourite painting on the wall behind.