A building has been created in Melbourne that looks more like an organic sculpture than a structure designed for living. The No. 6 Sydney Street project by Wood Marsh is a complex of 15 flats hidden within a sculptural block inspired by nature. The building was located in the Prahran district, adjacent to the Orrong Romanis Reserve park, which allowed it to be in harmony with the green surroundings.
Architecture inspired by nature
The building’s shape refers to the soft, undulating lines found in nature. The asymmetrical form gives the impression of being carved from a single piece of raw material. The subtly modelled storey slabs rest on an irregular arrangement of fluted columns, giving the whole an impression of lightness and continuous movement. The façades with their undulating surfaces create an effect of spatial rhythm and interpenetration of planes. Gardens have been designed in the resulting niches, whose vegetation further softens the shape of the building.
Organic sculpture surrounded by greenery
The ground floor of the building is immersed in dense greenery, with the main entrance hidden between recessed columns. A winding pathway surrounded by lush plantings leads inside. The external organic motifs flow seamlessly into the interior, where natural materials and carefully crafted details are used. The wooden entrance door with its handle in carved, silvered bronze catches the eye.
Interiors and details of No. 6 Sydney Street
Each flat has an individual layout, varying in exposure, views and access to light. Panoramic glazing opens up the space to the park and the city, while the soft lines of the walls and ceilings reflect the sculptural form of the block. Natural materials dominate the interiors: wood, marble and fine-textured plaster. Precision carpentry and marble surfaces emphasise the elegant, subdued character of the décor. The bathrooms feature a travertine mosaic, the subtle texture of which contrasts with the heavier furniture units made of stained wood and stone.
Building like an organic sculpture
The project, realised in collaboration with developer V-Leader, is distinguished by a soft, streamlined form that breaks the rigid geometry of the neighbouring buildings. The sculpted structure experiments with the relationship between fullness and emptiness, while maintaining visual coherence in a monochromatic tone. The combination of natural inspiration, artistic approach and precise craftsmanship has resulted in a building that brings a whole new quality to the urban landscape of Prahran.
Architecture and interior design: Wood Marsh
Location: Prahran, VIC, Australia
Photography: Wood Marsh
Photo styling: Karin Bochnik
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