Tanner Street Residence

Set within a century-old former textile factory, this renovation reimagines a 1990s apartment conversion to better serve the evolving needs of a young family. The design unlocks underutilised spaces hidden behind bold, sculptural curved walls and works sensitively with the building’s industrial heritage, including original brickwork, exposed steel structure, and substantial 450 to 600 mm thick walls. By reconfiguring the kitchen, bathroom and entry, and leveraging the 4-metre ceilings for vertical storage, the home now offers a more intuitive and functional layout without compromising its spatial generosity.

New interventions were conceived as sculptural insertions that are distinct yet integrated, carefully attuned to the apartment’s existing geometries. Each space flows seamlessly into the next, with every element providing a clear functional purpose while contributing to the overall spatial composition. Materials were selected for their depth, tactility and richness, including natural stone, American oak and soft reflective surfaces that amplify light, texture and warmth throughout the home.

With only two internal doors in the original plan, the open nature of the apartment presented a unique spatial challenge. The design response preserves this openness while introducing clarity and order through thoughtful zoning and concealed storage. A new mezzanine in the second bedroom adds valuable flexibility, designed to evolve from a toddler’s play area into a future study or retreat.

This renovation offers more than improved amenity. It is a sanctuary within the urban intensity of Richmond. It balances sculptural expression with everyday liveability, responding to both the architecture’s past and the family’s present. The result is a home that is cohesive, expressive and enduring.