The owners of the recently completed Walan apartment unit wanted to add their personal touch to the interiors as they felt the existing layout was too corporate and open plan, and not the right fit for them. Looking to introduce their own personality and sensibility into the apartment’s interiors, the owners sought out Joel Alcorn and Chloe Middleton of Alcorn Middleton Architecture Office (AMAO) to design their ‘forever home’.

The Walan apartment is the perfect example of AMAO’s fresh and energetic approach to design. Collectively qualified in architecture and interior design, with several years of co-creating behind them, their projects are attracting both attention and awards for unselfconsciously breaking new ground – proof they are following their own creative journeys and approaching each project brief as a unique journey of discovery and creation.

Two independent personal referrals led the Walan apartment owners to the AMAO team on the recommendation that ‘they do ground-breaking stuff’. In Alcorn’s words, it was a case of ‘the stars aligning – rare and brilliant – it just felt right’.

The architects’ varied training and experience provided them with an instinctive appreciation of interior space and sequencing. The apartment was designed as a spacious, light-filled interior using Eveneer Almond (specified by building architects Bureau^Proberts) throughout. This warm natural surface provided the perfect platform for AMAO to transform the space. Supporters of authenticity, the designers loved and were committed to the timber veneer. “If it were up to us, we would have only used the Eveneer, but in the end it was the clients’ decision to introduce the warm blush beige detailing, which, in fact, subtly frames the veneer.”

The apartment showcases how a relatively small collection of interventions can have a tangible effect on the functionality and atmosphere of an interior. These superb and inimitable joinery pieces were designed as hero elements in the space, and yet at the same time appear ‘native’. Key elements in Eveneer timber veneer include a spectacular drinks cabinet, low sideboard and credenza – designed as ‘delightful obstacles’ to define sightlines, a stunning dresser and bedhead celebrating the habits and personality of the owner, and a bookcase and kitchen divider, enabling choice and control through screens and sliding panels. Square edges rounded and joinery lifted off the floor add a lightness and sense of softness, brightness and surprise.

Despite their prior knowledge, both architects confessed to having gained a deeper appreciation of timber veneers from working with Basele, the joiner/shopfitter, who brought invaluable skill, expertise and experience from the detailing of joinery for transportation in the lift, through to matching new veneers with the existing.

Joel Alcorn and Chloe Middleton prioritise time with industry representatives and value the two-way relationships and support of architectural representatives. Elton Group looks forward to supporting them in future projects.

Photography: Toby Scott