Located in Redfern, this two storey warehouse has been redesigned to create a lobby and cafe area. This entrance space is intended to be used by both customers for the showroom behind, and an interior design office located on level 1. 

The branding and design elements of the space had to reflect the work of a designer and their conceptual approach. I was inspired by the work of Alvaro Siza as his design philosophy combines a blend of both modern and vernacular architecture, drawing upon his Portuguese background. 

Siza’s designs are typically branded with a minimal colour palette. The texture of his buildings are characterised by the smooth concrete that encapsulates large intersecting volumes creating bold, clean lines.

My take on his design philosophy involves taking the signature white concrete that Siza often employs and casting it into forms that create the illusion of weightlessness. In doing so, there is a juxtaposition to the heavy permanence that concrete structures evoke. The concrete forms have been dissected and stitched together to create complex shapes, mirroring the additions and subtractions of Siza’s architecture. 

For this space, the concrete has been pared back with sandstone tiles and Victorian ash timber slatted ceiling. These materials are produced locally and were selected in reference to Siza’s preference for paying homage to local traditions, materials, and construction techniques.