ITN Architects

The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments

The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Michael Downes

THE ABBOTSFORD WAREHOUSE APARTMENTS

ITN Architects

ARCHITECTS
ITN Architects

PHOTOGRAPHS
Mathew Moore, Michael Downes, Nigel Grigg

AREA
590.0 m2

YEAR
2012

LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia

CATEGORY
Apartments

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.

The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Michael Downes
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore

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.

The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Michael Downes
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore

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.

The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Michael Downes
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore

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 Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore

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.

The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Michael Downes


The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore


The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
© Mathew Moore


The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
Plan
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
Plan
The Abbotsford Warehouse Apartments
Plan

ITN Architects
T +61 3 94163883
ITN Architects
54 Glasshouse Rd, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia