The inaugural Design Files Design Awards were handed out last week with Matt Woods Design taking out the ‘Interior Design’ award for its beautiful Sydney apartment project ‘Perfect Storm’. Dubbed the “concrete bunker” due to its deliberate use of rendered finishes (the design was inspired by Brutalism), the loft space still feels homely through the use of timber, brass, curves and some rather spectacular joinery.
A warehouse conversion in inner-city Camperdown, the apartment is home to a couple of design professionals who were seeking a minimalist lifestyle with an interior to match. The owners sought to create a clutter-free space while celebrating the history of Camperdown’s industrial heritage, all while not falling into warehouse-conversion design tropes.
The open-plan apartment features a mezzanine bedroom that overlooks the living room and terrace. Double-height glazing ensures the apartment is light-filled and provides a nice contrast for its dark and brooding finishes. The curved ceilings are a unique and fascinating detail too.
The custom kitchen features more than a passing reference to Mid-Century design –American Oak joinery combines with brass accents and statement lighting. Complementary geometric forms can be seen in the nearby lounge area – tan and teal blue sofas punctuate the apartment’s otherwise muted palette.
And while you could say that concrete elements are the defining feature of the home, very little cement was used in its creation. The concrete finish on the walls was achieved with a Porter’s Paint French Wash and the more ‘solid’ concrete elements were created using light-weight Glass Reinforced Cement (CRG).
Eschewing the typical Sydney aesthetic (ie natural, coastal and light/bright elements), the apartment was no doubt recognised due to its stylish and singular approach. Restrained and resolved, it’s easy to see why this project was singled out (from literally hundreds of entries) to take out the esteemed prize.
Photography: Katherine Lu
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