Project: Darling Point Waterfront Apartment
Architecture: Studio ZAWA
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Area: 125 m2
Year: 2022
Photo Credits: Clinton Weaver, Anson Smart
Darling Point Waterfront Apartment by Studio ZAWA is a refined study in simplicity, tactility, and emotional depth. Designed for a client downsizing from a large family home to a harbourfront apartment in Sydney, the project reimagines a dated 1960s layout into a serene, contemporary sanctuary. Through restraint, precision, and sensitivity to light, the renovation transforms space into an intimate reflection of memory and material.
A Dialogue Between Heritage and Modern Life
Located within Salacia—a mid-century building by Peddle, Thorp and Walker—this apartment inherits an architectural legacy tied to its waterfront setting. The building’s name, referencing the Roman goddess of salt water, hints at its enduring connection to the harbour. Facing north, the home offers panoramic views across Sydney Harbour, which Studio ZAWA sought to draw deep into the interior.
The original floor plan splayed the bedrooms to maximize the view, and the renovation extends this concept with precision. Mirrors, joinery, and sheer curtains are strategically placed to capture light and reflection, pulling the water’s shimmer into every corner. The result is a dynamic play between openness and intimacy, where sweeping vistas coexist with quieter, contemplative moments.
Material Honesty and Sensory Depth
The design’s emotional core lies in its material palette—restrained yet profoundly expressive. Inspired by the client’s experience in the Claude Monet room at Japan’s Chichu Art Museum, Studio ZAWA composed a space that recedes visually so that art and life can take center stage.
Walls, floors, and ceilings are wrapped in hand-applied micro-cement, offering seamless continuity and a soft, tactile presence. Bathrooms are finished in traditional Moroccan Tadelakt plaster, whose subtle sheen and irregular texture amplify the sense of touch. Tasmanian oak joinery adds warmth and contrast, grounding the otherwise neutral environment with golden hues and natural grain.
Every detail—from recessed lighting to the curve of a handle—was designed to be felt as much as seen. The craftsmanship invites slow appreciation, revealing the care embedded in each surface and junction.
Light as a Living Material
Because the apartment receives direct light only from the north and east, the architects approached illumination as a design material in itself. The morning sun is tempered by matte finishes and translucent sheers, while mirrors extend brightness into deeper parts of the plan. In the afternoon, concealed LEDs and reflected light create a tranquil atmosphere that evolves with the time of day.
Tasmanian oak elements respond beautifully to these changing conditions, radiating a subtle golden tone under natural and artificial light alike. The result is an interior that feels alive, continually shifting in mood and texture.
Functionality with Emotional Intelligence
While serene in appearance, the apartment accommodates a flexible lifestyle. Designed for a single resident who often hosts visiting family, spaces adapt effortlessly to changing needs. A music room converts into a guest bedroom; custom storage conceals utilities while displaying art, ceramics, and personal mementos. This adaptability ensures that the home remains both intimate and generous—a haven for solitude and togetherness alike.
Built through close collaboration with skilled craftspeople and a dedicated builder, the project exemplifies how quality and adaptability can thrive despite logistical and budgetary constraints. Every element, from joinery to lighting, contributes to an atmosphere of composure and quiet luxury.
A Serene Expression of Modern Living
Darling Point Waterfront Apartment by Studio ZAWA is more than a renovation; it is a meditation on how architecture can hold memory, emotion, and light. Through restraint and precision, the design elevates the rituals of daily life, offering spaces that invite both reflection and connection.
The apartment stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design—to simplify, to humanize, and to reveal beauty in the essential.
