Unit for Arwen is a budget-conscious renovation of a small unit that explores delicate dichotomies between humble materials. Effective planning, subtle geometries and tightly crafted details create spaces to dwell and reconnect. 

Geometry and light are tools used to craft and enrich the compact ground floor space. In the kitchen we used a golden-section ellipse both above and below the counter, providing an elegant ending to the countertop that also accommodates a seating nook. As the sun’s angle changes throughout the day, abstract curved shadows emerge and evolve, encouraging a moment to pause and ponder. 

Within the small space, considered zoning and material selections create flexible, overlapping spaces. The living area enjoys a view of the full footprint, and with kitchen appliances out of sight, focus is drawn to the garden. A ‘timber core’ includes a built-in dining bench that becomes an almost sculptural element creating blurred transitions between zones. The long kitchen counter provides an expansive work area, and with plasterboard as a backdrop, it doubles as an extension of the living and dining areas. The project is inherently about breathing new life into existing housing stock, and focusing on small, cost-effective changes that together have significant and lasting impact.

Photography by Shannon McGrath
Model Photography by Nicholas Wilkins