A former service space in Toorak, Melbourne, has been recognized as one of the finest examples of interior architecture in Australia. The project, known as Studio8, transformed a damp, semi-subterranean laundry into a 40 square metre home. It received the Emil Sodersten award for interior architecture at the National Architecture Awards on 29 October.
Studio8 Spatial Design
The building sits on the grounds of the heritage-listed Quamby apartment complex. Originally designed by architect Roy Grounds in 1941, the structure was later converted into a poorly executed apartment in the 1970s. Timothy Hill of Partners Hill led the recent renovation, which was completed in late 2024. The project turned a space that owners Ronnen Goren and his partner described as grim into an ambient retreat.
Goren and his partner lived in the apartment for 18 months before starting the renovation. They were drawn to the location and the north-facing courtyard, which is larger than the apartment itself. They spent that time imagining the potential of the space. Hill, who has a long-standing interest in converting secondary spaces into quality housing, saw the project as a test case for high-density living.
“Making little houses is a very particular sensibility,” Hill said. “It’s not just squashed big. Every 25mm counts.”
The design relies on spatial trickery to make the small footprint feel larger. Visitors must walk through the courtyard to reach the front door, then loop back through a narrow hallway to the bedroom. This path makes the sleeping area feel distant from the entrance. Split-level floors add movement and define different zones without using walls.
Multi-Functional Furniture and Layout
Hill opposes open-plan layouts, which he says can make small spaces feel like storage containers. Instead, the apartment features a separate micro kitchen that still accommodates an Aga stove. A large round table near the entrance serves multiple purposes. It acts as a desk, a dining table, a cocktail bar, and a storage unit. This setup creates a salon-like feel next to the sunken lounge area.
Storage is hidden throughout the home to maintain a clean aesthetic. Clothes are kept in a walk-in closet across the hall, leaving the bedroom uncluttered. The walls are thick and painted in a tranquil green scheme. Goren described the bedroom as a cocoon that provides excellent sleep quality. One wall is fully carpeted, and cork paneling in the living area helps absorb sound. The upholstery is dense to further reduce noise.
Every design choice serves at least two functions. In the bathroom, a single piece of bent pickled steel joinery acts as a vanity, basin support, laundry basket enclosure, towel rack, and toilet roll holder. The entire unit is held together with just four screws. Storage is also secreted under tables and inside walls.
Hill noted that improved waterproofing technologies make it easier to convert odd spaces like basements. He argued that these conversions offer good value and are environmentally friendly because they reuse existing infrastructure.
Source: The Guardian
