design et al are delighted to announce that Archer Design have been shortlisted for Interior Design Scheme – Asia Pacific Award within The International Design and Architecture Awards 2018.
The complete refurbishment of a large apartment on Sydney Harbour, including full architectural replanning, furnishing, styling and art curation. Located within an exclusive 1960’s apartment complex directly on Sydney Harbour, this substantial apartment is the Australian base for Archer Design client whose brief required them to create a tranquil retreat from their busy international lifestyle. A place of calming modernity and luxury was designed by Archer Design wherein the ever changing light and shimmering movement of the harbour is reflected throughout the home, its ever-present sights and sounds acting as a gentle counterpoint to a fine Australian art and contemporary furniture collection.
The art is an important part of the ambiance of this apartment, as our clients’ international lifestyle required a true ‘sense of place’ to be present in their Australian home. Archer Design strove to curate a collection that was devoid of parochial symbolism, but one that showcased the spirit of its origin and acted as an elegant framework to the activities within the home. Throughout the apartment, Archer Design use of deep sea blues & soft eucalypt lacquer contrast with burnt earth reds, bronzed mirrors and deep ebony panelling. As a backdrop to the colourful artworks and furnishing accents, gentle curving forms and calming natural tones were chosen to frame the interiors, highlighting the stunning views and connecting all primary spaces with the water using mirrored panels and operable screens.
With limited access to the apartment and an exceptionally tight building programme, all architectural components were manufactured off site, flat packed and reassembled on site (including extensive mirrored and curved timber panelling, custom joinery and new balcony doors). The complexities of this process never impacted on the finished result: an apartment created by Archer Design, imbued with a spirit of stillness, elegance and effortless luxury.
This project had to be a uniquely collaborative effort with the client, interior architect and contractor working totally in-sync. This project confirmed our belief that design is a collaborative enterprise, made possible by a trusting client, allowing us a large degree of freedom to formulate a team of dedicated professionals all working with a common goal: achieving design excellence.
The clients’ busy schedule meant that they only saw our initial concepts first hand and then left Australia, returning to a completed, fully furnished and fitted out home some ten months later. Their total trust in Archer Design to interpret their requirements and to completely manage the entire design, build and fit out process meant a great deal. Their total amazement and joy at the completed apartment was and will remain a source of enormous satisfaction for Archer Design.