www.thedesignermagazine.com 29
Experimentation with new materials such as
the OSB material used in the kitchen was the
architect’s favourite element of this project
Industrial Evolution
For
people intent on living in central city locations, finding a
large living space can be a mission impossible. However,
over the past few decades, as flexible open-plan living has become
increasingly popular, the concept of warehouse living has taken off
and is attracting a much wider demographic.
Industrial buildings have become the ideal sites for contemporary
architectural renovations and are rapidly becoming the true mark of
the funky, modern lifestyle. A large part of the appeal is the scale of
the available space, comprised of generous open-plan living areas,
high ceilings and large windows. Warehouse renovations also offer a
whole host of strategic contrasts which co-exist between the old
industrial origins of the property and contemporary touches that are
added during the transformation.
In order to achieve the right balance, however, it is pretty
important to have an architect on board who knows how to get the
most out of a space like this. Andrew Maynard Architects (AMA) was
on hand to tackle this warehouse renovation in North Fitzroy, Australia.
The clients’ brief was basically to turn an empty industrial
warehouse into a habitable and functioning home. Maintaining the
industrial ambience of the warehouse was integral to the design.
AMA wanted to conserve the characteristics of the environment and
they achieved this by keeping the plan as open as possible.
However, maintaining the open-plan feel and the vast expanses
of space did not come without its problems. “The biggest challenge
was turning the large warehouse environment into a habitable house ➔
Andrew M-Red March 09.indd 29 25/2/09 17:42:30
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