Scandanavian Freestyle

Research background: The Russell Street Telephone Exchange and Post Office was designed by the Commonwealth Department of Works and opened in 1954. This was the first multi-storey CBD building to be completed post World War II and the last to express the architectural traditions of solid masonry. In 2001, Nonda Katsalidis Architects redeveloped the building into Hero Apartments. MvS Architects (Jan van Schaik and Paul Minifie) along with artist Fiona Abicare were commissioned to design a new lobby space for the 142 apartments in the block. 'Scandanavian Freestyle' is the result. Research contribution: The architects developed the foyer by removing temporary structrues, fixtures and adorning features. They used historical images to redesign and reinterpret the space. Through this process the foyer was activiated by natural light and the spatial and material inter-connectivities of its original forms. The researchers designed essential objects - such as seating, letterboxes and drapes - so they were pleasing to the eye. They strove for a 'complete interior', one in which relations between art, décor, interior architecture and utilities are configured in relationship to surrounding context and history. Research significance: 'Scandanavian Freestyle' was shortlisted for the Australian Institute of Architects Victoria chapter Small Project and Interior Architecture awards for 2013. The significance of the project was further demonstrated by its inclusion in 'Nite Art' , a city-wide art exhibition held at 24 venues on 24 July 2013 (see http://niteart.com.au/meet-artist-fiona-abicare/ and Sonia Harford, 'Illuminations to put night art in focus', The Age, 17 July 2013). The foyer's redesign was featured in an article published in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald (Stephen Crafti, 'Lobby given streamlined facelift', Age 3 April 2013).