Brunswick Studio came to us as a small, quirky fifty-one square metre space promoted as a Live/Work opportunity meaning potential buyers were able to transform the empty shell into a commercial or residential space that reflected their own individuality and needs.
The bones of the building were strong and provided us with plenty of scope to have some fun with the client, with generous 3.4m off-form concrete ceilings, timber oak flooring and extensive glazing opening onto a full-width balcony.
With thirty-five square metres available for kitchen, living, dining and bedroom, we approached the design with the aim of creating a sense of separation between the key functions of a small studio space.
With that in mind, we chose to use colour dramatically in the confined areas of the entrance and the bathroom. This extreme contrast of colour not only accentuates them but also provides a distinct separation to the following main living space. Here we needed the wall colour in the taller open-plan space to step back, which is why a more natural but complimentary colour was used to tie in with the cool concrete ceiling.
Key to the central space was the need to split the area while still remaining open and making the most of the high ceilings. A floor-to-ceiling custom-made black room divider was commissioned by a local metal fabricator, with feature back panels utilising the same algae green and vibrant orange from the entry area. This installation along with some bespoke cabinetry, including a bar encased in wire glass and a bespoke bedhead with inbuilt storage, is key to the spatial arrangement of the interior, defining the various functions of a dwelling – bedroom, dining, living and a place to entertain.
As it stands the space is still small in plan, yet it feels much larger. It has a strong and distinctive personality to which innovative design and bold use colour is a major contributor.
Brunswick Studio was a valuable opportunity to explore living small and has resulted in a unique and clever dwelling.
Completed: 2023