Former Steam Factory Turned Contemporary Apartment - Skywalk Apartment by Henry Francis Design

Collingwood, VIC, Australia

Photography Andrew Richey & Sonya Pletes

Words Bronwyn Marshall

Set within the walls of an 1880s steam factory in Collingwood, Skywalk Apartment sees Henry Francis Design inject a sense of theatre through the vertical journey of the space, sprawling over three internal levels.

As a celebration of craftsmanship, Skywalk Apartment is the reimagining of the internal volumes of an existing 1880s steam factory in Melbourne’s inner-urban suburb of Collingwood. The new works see the insertion of a dramatic central circular stair gesture as sculpture and conduit for the unfolding vertical journey. Through explorations of space, understanding of the original conditions and access to natural light, the resulting apartment is separated over three vertical levels. The delicately told and woven journey upon ascension is a combination of heritage, texture, materiality and a sense of the bold.

The delicately told and woven journey upon ascension is a combination of heritage, texture, materiality and a sense of the bold.

As a celebration of craftsmanship, Skywalk Apartment is the reimagining of the internal volumes of an existing 1880s steam factory in Melbourne’s inner-urban suburb of Collingwood.

The new works see the insertion of a dramatic central circular stair gesture as sculpture and conduit for the unfolding vertical journey.

The brief called for a new roof terrace, bedroom, associated bathrooms and mezzanine. The response within the existing heritage-listed property was to create a stair and gantry system that connects the five interior volumes over three levels. As no structural connections to the existing structure were permitted as part of the listing, the resulting volumes form their own substructure within the overall superstructure. The existing turned struts, hand forged ironwork, exposed services and heavy beams are then celebrated through this separation. The intent was to create a series of spaces that are private, connected, fluid and open and yet still illuminated with natural light.

The intent was to create a series of spaces that were private, connected, fluid and open and yet still illuminated with natural light.

Through nods to the building’s industrial origins, the use of metal and timber are heralded.

Through nods to the building’s industrial origins, the use of metal and timber are heralded. As the internal stair ascends, on each floor the engagement with hand-applied textures, hard and raw materiality and the effects of filtered light is emphasised. Almost as its own functional sculpture, this central element not only connects and binds all of its internal functions, but it also casts shadows within the space. As the journey upward unfolds, the access to light is heightened, through both perforated and more refined means.

Almost as its own functional sculpture, this central element not only connects and binds all of its internal functions, but it also casts shadows within the space.

The old and the new of Skywalk Apartment are expressed in their own individual ways, but in a connected language and through a similar lens.

The old and the new of Skywalk Apartment are expressed in their own individual ways, but in a connected language and through a similar lens. The use of materiality, interplay with light and the moment of pause offered, allow for the experience to differ, become enriched and offer places of reflection and contemplation. The large open void space emphasises the overall volume and draws the eye upward.