Carlton Warehouse

The transformation of this old warehouse, located in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton could hardly be more dramatic. Once an entirely roofed factory with zero permeable area, the site has been re-invented to contain a stunning dwelling with glorious views and a verdant garden on two sides.

“The client was really interested in the view, and the view is not something that we’re typically chasing,” explains architect, Victoria Reeves, from Kennedy Nolan. “A lot of people love a house with a view and I do think that we’ve become so used to celebrating the small moments and the small views within a site that we’re not often chasing the big one, and so this client in fact had got up on the roof of the existing building to see what kind of height she would need to achieve the view she wanted. She was adamant that this was the height it needed to be and this is the openings I’d need and in this direction and that direction, and so we felt like we were often representing the kind of interiors of the project. We were kind of saying you just don’t want this top bit ending up like a fish bowl. You might get sick of the view but you’ll always want a nice spot to snuggle up on the couch so I think we definitely found a nice medium point and the views are immense but they’re also framed and there’s also plenty of space for homeliness and not feeling like you’re on show.”

Another of the client’s stipulations was that the principal areas on the top floor of the dwelling be flooded light. The project also encapsulates areas that are quite low-ceilinged and dimly lit but expand into brightly lit areas in order to create contrast. A keen gardener, she also wanted a connection with the garden. “The design challenge was really about bridging those two experiences and making sure that the building itself didn’t just become the thoroughfare from getting from the bottom to the top.

“We were trying to achieve a scale that you wouldn’t’ normally see in domestic building, to bring a sort of simplicity and abstractness to the project and the AWS sections did the trick. They were great.” Victoria is referring to the AWS Elevate™ range used on site, including Series 704 Slidemaster™ Sliding Doors, Icon™ Stainless Steel Harware, Series 424 Centreglaze with Sashless Double Hung, and Custom Designed Steel Windows by fabricator, APLO Façade Solutions.

The result is a beautiful oasis of light, views and green spaces that perfectly reflects the client’s wishes and the architect’s design.