Arial Penthouse

Location:

George Place; 345-363 George Street, Sydney, NSW

Client:

Hollywood Actress

Client Brief:

Single level penthouse apartment
Private elevator
Views of Sydney Harbour, Botanical Gardens and Parramatta River
Large terrace/balcony area
Gym

Software:

SketchUp, V-Ray

Figure 1. Guest Bedroom

Concept Description:

Luxurious single level penthouse apartment, with views of Sydney harbour, Botanical Gardens and the Parramatta river. The penthouse has an open floor plan with two private realms, one for the master and one for the guest rooms.

As soon as you exit the private elevator foyer and enter through the grand wooden double doors you are welcomed to an open floor plan with spectacular views of the city. The open floor plan includes a spacious kitchen, dining area and two living areas perfect for entertaining guests. The ceiling above the kitchen includes a long skylight which allows for optimum natural lighting during all times of the day.

The overall design of the apartment is modern and light, with dark grey tiled flooring in the main areas and white walls to contrast.

The south side of the penthouse is overshadowed by the taller neighbouring building, meaning less

light comes in from this side. Hence the number of skylights placed around the apartment to allow for natural lighting during the day, so residents do not have to rely on artificial lights even when travelling through hallways.

I was inspired by the lobby of George Place when it came to lighting. The ground floor has many skylights as well as artificial LED strips lights.

The master wing is its own private space with spacious ensuite and walk-in robe. This room has been positioned in the corner of the apartment to allow for sunlight to enter through the east and north windows.

On the opposite corner of the apartment is the guest wing, where there are two guest rooms each with their own ensuite and walk-in-robe.

Once again the hallway that leads to these rooms is lit up by the above skylight.

This is a very spacious apartment meaning I was able to include extra areas that residents can enjoy for leisure including; a gym, theatre room and library/home office. The theatre room acts as a more casual living room for relaxation and comfort

compared to the more formal living room with gas fire place which has been designed perfect for entertaining guests and important conversation.

The floor to ceiling windows that outline most of the open plan living area allow for residents and their guests to take advantage of the view of the city both during the day and night.

Gallery

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Figure 2. 345/363 George St, Sydney NSW 2000.

Note: Google Maps. (2022).

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Figure 3. George Place.

Note: FDC Building. (2019).

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Figure 4. George Place, 345 George Street,
Sydney, NSW 2000.

Note: Real Commercial. (2022).

Location and Site Analysis

George Place; 345-363 George Street, Sydney, NSW

Re-designed from the original 1999 design in 2018 by architect Fender Katsalidis to connect 3 buildings; 363, 345 George Street and 24 York Street. It is a large shared community space with a spacious lobby containing commercial meeting and working areas.

The building is placed amidst cafes, restaurants and retailers allowing for people to move from work to leisure seamlessly.

The building design includes a contrast in materials with one side being framed by the internal heritage facade wall of 24 York Street and the opposite side is new concrete cladding. The interior lobby is flooded with natural and artificial lighting from the many skylights and decorative LED strip lights imbedded within the walls and stairs.

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Figure 5. Penthouse apartment in downtown San Francisco - living.

Note: 88 Design Box. (2015).

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Figure 6. Penthouse apartment in downtown San Francisco - skylights over staircase.

Note: 88 Design Box. (2015).

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Figure 7. Penthouse apartment in downtown San Francisco - kitchen.

Note: 88 Design Box. (2015).

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Penthouse Program

Precedents

This stunning luxury apartment was designed by Feldman Architecture. The company transformed a roof house into a beautiful space that has views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and downtown San Francisco.

The highlight would have the be the skylight design above the staircase and as part of the kitchen floor.

Figure 8. Penthouse apartment in downtown San Francisco - kitchen.

Note: 88 Design Box. (2015).

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Figure 9. Spatial planning sketch 1

Figure 11. Spatial planning sketch 3

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Figure 10. Spatial planning sketch 2

Figure 12. Spatial planning sketch 4

Spatial Planning

I developed 4 spatial bubble diagrams to get an idea of where I wanted rooms to be positioned in the apartment. I also needed to consider which sides of the building had the most desirable views and which where going to receive the most amount of light.

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Final Sketch Plan

Here is the final sketch plan I developed from spatial diagram 2.

In this plan you can also see where I have positioned skylights in the ceiling of the apartment to bring in more natural light.

Figure 13. Final sketch plan.

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Figure 14. Bathroom Inspiration.

Note: Real Estate. (2018).

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Figure 15. Calacatta Gold Marble.

Note: Euro Marble. (2022).

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Figure 18. Nero Limestone Anti Slip Rectified Porcelain Tile.

Note: Tile Factory Outlet. (2022).

Figure 17. Sydney skyline.

Note: Sky Scraper Centre. (2022).

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Moodboard

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Figure 16. Living Inspiration.

Note: Street Easy. (2021).

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Figure 20. Living inspiration.

Note: Āzure. (n.d).

Figure 19. Five Classic Traits Of Hamptons Kitchens.

Note: Blue Tea. (2016).

Figure 21. Calacatta Gold Marble.

Note: Euro Marble. (2022).

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Figure 25. VINTAGE WASHED LIGHTWEIGHT 100% LINEN FABRIC - IVORY.

Note: No Chintz. (2022).

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Figure 22. V20 OAK GREEN WASH.

Note: George Fethers & Co. (2022).

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Figure 26. Travertine Beige Porcelain.

Note: Stone and Tile Projects. (2022).

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Figure 23. Milano Dark Grey Matt Porcelain Tile.

Note: Tile Factory Outlet. (2022).

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Figure 27. Warwick.- Keylargo.

Note: The Fabric Edidors. (2022).

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Figure 24. Dulux Vivid White.

Note: Bunnings. (2022).

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Figure 28. BARAKULA - pelham.

Note: Carpet Court. (2022).

Materiality

Figure 29. Five Classic Traits Of Hamptons Kitchens.

Note: Blue Tea. (2016).

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Figure 33. Kitchen Inspiration.

Note: TLC Interiors. (2022).

Concept Development

Kitchen

The kitchen has been inspired by a Hamptons style kitchen with a modern touch. It is spacious and open to allow for easy movement and access to all areas. It also includes a wine fridge integrated into the island.

Figure 30. Dulux Vivid White.

Note: Bunnings. (2022).

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Figure 31. Carrara Marble Diamond Gloss

Note: Laminex. (2022).

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Figure 32. Luminea Beaune 1 Light Metal Pendant.

Note: Temple & Webster. (2022).

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Figure 34. Kitchen in SketchUp

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Figure 35. Dining Inspiration.

Note: Maiden Home. (2022).

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Concept Development

Dining

The heart of the apartment is the dining area. It is made for sharing meals and intimate conversations with guests - perfect for entertaining. The space takes advantage of the city views as it looks out through the floor to ceiling glass windows.

Figure 36. Milano Dark Grey Matt Porcelain Tile.

Note: Tile Factory Outlet. (2022).

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Figure 37. Solid Wood Dining Table in Melbourne.

Note: Gainsville. (2020).

Figure 38. Dining area in SketchUp.

Concept Development

Living

The formal living area with marble gas fire place. This space is designed for entertaining guests and for intimate and important conversation between individuals. The only distraction here is the beautiful skyline.

Figure 39. Living inspiration.

Note: Āzure. (n.d).

Figure 40. Milano Dark Grey Matt Porcelain Tile.

Note: Tile Factory Outlet. (2022).

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Figure 41. Two Story White Marble Fireplace with TV Niche.

Note: Decor Pad. (2022).

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Figure 43. Carrara Marble Diamond Gloss

Note: Laminex. (2022).

Figure 42. Lulu 3 Seater Sofa - Stone Black.

Note: Brosa. (2022).

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Figure 44. Monaco Square Concrete Coffee Table.

Note: Coco Republic. (2022).

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Figure 45. Living area in SketchUp.

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Fig 46. 101 Custom Master Bedroom Design Ideas (Photos).

Note: Home Stratosphere. (2022).

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Figure 51. Guest room in SketchUp.

Figure 47. Dulux Vivid White.

Note: Bunnings. (2022).

Figure 48. V20 OAK GREEN WASH.

Note: George Fethers & Co. (2022).

Figure 49. BARAKULA - pelham.

Note: Carpet Court. (2022).

Concept Development

Bedrooms

Designed with a light and neutral colour palette making the rooms easy on the eye. The light walls help refract the sunlight that comes in through the windows making the bedroom a pleasant place for one to relax and be in their own space.

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Figure 50. 14 White Bedrooms Done Right.

Note: Architectural Digest. (2017).

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Figure 52. Master bedroom in SketchUp.

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Figure 53. Bathroom inspiration.

Note: Dcon Group. (2022).

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Figure 57. Ensuite with walk in robe in SketchUp.

Concept Development

Bathrooms

Whether it is a powder room or ensuite, the bathroom is a private realm for relaxing. In this penthouse apartment, each wet room had been designed to be luxurious and comfortable for all residents and guests. Each room is rich with neutral tones brought out in the sandstone tiles and marble.

Figure 54. Calacatta Gold Marble.

Note: Euro Marble. (2022).

Figure 55. Travertine Beige Porcelain.

Note: Stone and Tile Projects. (2022).

Figure 56. V20 OAK GREEN WASH.

Note: George Fethers & Co. (2022).

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Figure 58. Ensuite in SketchUp.

Arial Perspective

An arial view of the new penthouse apartment on top of George Place. Here you can clearly see the positioning of the skylights in the ceiling of the apartment. The floor under the apartment is a rooftop space open to the public. The large balcony/terrace area of the penthouse prevents the people enjoying the rooftop space from being able to look up into the apartment.

Figure 59. Arial view of apartment in SketchUp.