The Auburn Apartment | Splinter Society

Appropriately named for its bronze veil which captures the euphoric afternoon light like the golden leafy trees that line the streets of Hawthorn, The Auburn is a series of individual homes which share a glistening facade. Working with a client who is both the developer and builder, the design utilises construction expertise to create a point of difference in the bespoke multiresidential market.

Both natural and lustrous, the façade is screened by a bronze metal mesh, capturing the neighbourhood’s feeling of warmth and light. This is punctuated by a series of refined, industrial steel frames requiring intricate metal work, not often seen in multiresidential buildings. These create a continuity across the façade while breaking up the program into distinctly different areas. Across the façade, these frame outlooks, balconies and even occasionally outdoor seating. The finer qualities of the upper level are grounded with a solid, textured natural stone base.

As a grand entrance, the stone follows up a dramatic nine-metre-high void which is activated by light diffusing across the rough texture at different angles through the day from the large skylight above.

Connecting with the architecture, the raw stone also carries into the interiors of the generous apartments, making bespoke, tactile details in the kitchens and ensuites. Taking a highly personal approach, every apartment is distinctly different from one another, focusing on refined moments of comfort. Like individual homes, each has a unique configuration with well-appointed kitchen, finely detailed fireplace, dedicated study space, quality joinery with build-in seating and private outdoor space.

Photography by Sharyn Cairns