The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments / ITN Architects

Architects: ITN Architects
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Architect In Charge: Nigel Grigg
Project Year: 2012
Photographs: Mathew Moore, Michael Downes, Nigel Grigg

Project Area: 590.0 sqm
Engineer: Josh Millie – Jomil Engineering
Interiors & Furnishings: Alexandra Neumann

This former Catholic Technical College has been converted into two, three storey warehouse apartments by removing the roof, retaining the lower floors and constructing a new upper floor which has been set back on all sides to create upper decks and balconies.

Many of the former industrial buildings simple details were retained as well as the external walls and lower floors. New elements and materials sit side by side with the old to create contemporary apartments with some old world charm. Old timber workshop welding benches were retained and used for the kitchen island benches with new in situ concrete bench tops added. New columns penetrate the old island benches.

Four metre high windows were converted into the steel and glass front doors and electric garage doors to create an overwhelming effect upon entry, and match the scale of the four metre high ceilings. Old timber columns were removed, repaired and reinstated with concealed steel columns within for strength.

New services such as copper gas pipes and electrical conduits were exposed where suitable and left in their natural state. New Blackbutt hardwood flooring and stairs were used throughout, with stainless steel rod balustrades and steel and glass handrails to the decks.

The site fronts two streets and by subdividing the warehouse back to back across the middle, each apartment gets its own street address and courtyards.