Ben and Raf's apartment is located in Stanmore, on the lands of the Gadi people. The building was built in the 70s—a red brick three storey walk up, typical of the apartment design that proliferated in Sydney in the second half of the 20th century.

The 42 sq.m 1-bedroom apartment suffered from various immutable features; low ceilings, a south facing living room, and poor outlook. The architect, both designer and owner, worked within these constraints, as well as a tight budget, to deliver an outcome that allows for improved amenity, light, and liveability.

By removing the kitchen wall the living, kitchen and dining spaces were opened, with the structural intervention creating opportunities for architectural expressions in curved ceiling gestures and high level ledges. The curved ceiling in the kitchen, concealing a steel beam, delineates zones for eating, cooking, and living.

Full height elements in the bedroom, such as a large sliding door, full height joinery, and curtains, maximise a sense of height despite a low ceiling. Constraints surrounding the position of the ensuite door provided an opportunity to playfully conceal the door in the full height joinery. In the ensuite, a distinct laundry zone was created through the use of bright yellow laminate joinery—the burst of colour provides a sense of joy for the otherwise mundane task of laundry.

Materials used in the living, kitchen and bedroom spaces are calm and sparing. Cool blue green laminate and terrazzo in the kitchen provide a pleasing contrast to the warm Blackbutt timber flooring.

The design, built with care and attention to detail, has injected life, light and joy into the apartment, turning its once dark and awkward interiors into a light filled home, suited for contemporary living.