Inspired by the clients’ collection of Australian art and the site’s breath-taking views across the Royal Botanic Gardens, The Melburnian III is a contemporary expression of Australia’s striking natural landscape.

Seeking a space that would better reflect their lifestyle and aesthetic sensibilities, the clients approached Studio Tate to re-design their inner-city apartment into a comfortable and contemporary home for two with 340-degree views of the city, gardens, sky and bay to be appreciated at every opportunity.

Throughout, Studio Tate drew on the clients’ collection of Australian desert landscapes and Aboriginal artworks to inform an earthy, naturalistic palette and an elemental approach to form. The kitchen’s robust expression of vein-cut travertine presents a striated landscape of natural tones telling the story of the material’s formation in the earth. This variation is balanced by blackened timber veneer reminiscent of burnt bushland; a refined pairing of materials that flow through the interior. Studio Tate’s curation of furniture and décor give cohesion to the interior while expressing the clients’ interest in collectible design.

The apartment’s intelligent planning sees the kitchen opened-up around existing structure to reveal key sightlines, while a large walk-in-robe is converted to a butler’s pantry to support the clients’ love of entertaining.

Embracing a calm and pared-back sensibility, The Melburnian III presents a harmonic response to place that draws focus to its striking surroundings. The project is a counterpoint to some of our more colourful and highly detailed design and shows Studio Tate’s responsiveness to the unique conditions of client and location.