Design studio Fiona Lynch is synonymous with many of Melbourne’s leading interior projects. This was exemplified in 2016 when the studio was awarded Designer of the Year at the Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA).
Responsible for designing the interiors of some of Melbourne’s best homes and hospitality venues, the leading interior design studio has now moved decisively into the multi-residential apartment space.
The studio has joined with national developer OpenCorp to create Eastside Village. The project sees the studio draw upon its experience designing Melbourne’s leading homes to deliver 73 apartments to the tightly held pocket of Hawthorn East, one of inner Melbourne’s most desirable suburbs.
“The approach outlined by OpenCorp to create a unique interior based on our design values was the deciding factor to get involved with this project,” says Fiona Lynch.
Lynch says she wants her studio to be known for its inventive use of space and materials as well as an intriguing approach to custom details.
“We aim to create authentic, classic and quality designs within all the projects we deliver. We call ourselves minimalists who love materials. A large part of our focus is considering how the two go together and how they make people feel in a space,” says Lynch.
“In the current market developers are creating more detailed and nuanced spaces. We are excited to work with OpenCorp, who has a strong appreciation for materiality and design sophistication that suits the owner-occupier market.”
The apartments at Eastside Village are differentiated to others on the market by their impeccable level of design, a unique approach achieved with bespoke joinery and finishes.
“We have designed a generous bespoke wall unit to house all elements typically found in the living room. A beautiful piece of bespoke furniture designed particularly for this space, the unit can store books, art objects and a television,” says Lynch.
Other fine details include Danish-designed wall lights by Pandul, deep forest green carpets, bespoke joinery and ample storage, all designed with a beautifully refined vision.
OpenCorp director Allister Lewison salutes the outstanding complementary design that Fiona Lynch, architects Rothelowman and Ben Scott Garden Design have achieved at Eastside Village.
“We wanted the apartments at Eastside Village to present more as a home than a typical apartment, to be highly personalised, individual and timeless. To achieve this, we had to bring together a design team that would only normally collaborate on Melbourne’s leading homes.”
Award-winning architects Rothelowman worked with Fiona Lynch to ensure each residence makes the best use of space, both internally and externally.
“Punctuated by large subtractions, the development’s form creates landscaped courtyards to the east and west, which provide increased light and internal amenity.”
“The façade opens and closes to create an organic architecture that oscillates between private and public landscaped space, whilst firmly anchoring down to the ground plan with a curvaceous gesture which frames the entry and holds the street,” says Rothelowman principal Chris Hayton.
Ben Scott Garden Design, renowned for landscape architecture that brings harmony and cohesion to outdoor spaces, was chosen to help realise the design vision.
“A standout feature of the landscape design is a façade that is clothed in as much planting as possible, creating a wonderful verdant entry,” explains Ben Scott.
“The design of Eastside Village is unique in that it is about making the soft landscaping the hero of the landscape design, allowing the planting to soften the built form to create a peaceful sanctuary for the residents.”