Samuella Yoo

The Wilcox Mofflin Ltd building is located on 46-52 Mountain Street in Ultimo, Sydney. The client wished to convert this five-storey heritage building into a residential apartment.

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This building was originally built as a hide and skin warehouse in 1911. An additional contemporary extension space was added on the east side of the building later.

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The client purchased a vacant two level apartment unit which had been stripped bare except for existing brick walls and a concrete floor. As this site had retained the distinct characteristics of the old warehouse building, the client wanted to preserve this industrial look within but to add some eclectic, contemporary elements.  Further requirements were to used natural material overall space and open-plan design with eye-catching feature staircase design.

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The final design outcome was open-plan, which incorporates a sensitive use of natural material finishes. Converting the concrete floor to timber generates warm into space and was the key feature in the transition from warehouse to residential space. However, the exposed ceiling, and raw timber beams and columns kept the characteristic of the heritage building and promoted the coexistence of industrial and residential. The timber balustrade staircase dissolves into the space and maintains the open plan feeling.