In a recent feature by est living, Phillip Mathieson offers an intimate look into his personal residence — a reworked apartment in Sydney’s Kings Cross that reflects his design ethos in its most distilled and private form. Part of the “Where Architects Live” film series, the piece — filmed by Dan Preston and photographed by Romello Pereira — captures the subtle precision and calming spatial rhythm that characterise Mathieson’s work. The full article can be viewed here.

Set within the iconic Altair Apartments by Engelen Moore, the apartment was conceived as a place of calm. “It was about creating a really serene environment,” Phillip shares in the film, “a retreat from the outside world.” While the structure already possessed strong architectural bones, the project involved a complete interior reconfiguration, carried out with restraint and quiet confidence.

 

The material palette is pared back and elemental. Sandblasted limestone stretches across floors and walls, gently diffusing light and offering a tactile softness underfoot. “It has an amazing texture,” Phillip notes, “and diffuses light in such a beautiful way.” A sculptural island in flamed black granite anchors the open-plan living area, introducing contrast and solidity to the otherwise subtle palette.

Throughout the apartment, joinery elements are finely detailed and unobtrusive. Full-height cabinetry conceals functional zones — a bar, coffee station, and integrated appliances — allowing the architecture to remain uninterrupted. “One of the things that was really important was not having any visible handles or door pulls,” Phillip explains. “It was about removing visual noise.”

 

Though compact in scale, the apartment feels generous. Large panes of glazing open onto a lush terrace, creating a strong connection to greenery and natural light. Carefully selected furnishings — including pieces by Christian Liaigre — lend a sense of refinement without excess, while art by Thomas Paquet adds moments of softness and intimacy.

 

The reconfiguration extended to the planning, replacing a small study with a walk-in wardrobe and enlarging the bathroom, which is now wrapped in the same limestone to create a sense of continuity. These subtle shifts reflect the care and rigour brought to every aspect of the design.

 

“It’s quite hard to put into words what it’s actually like to be in a space like this,” Phillip reflects. “It’s really just about appreciating natural light, the outlook to the garden, and being able to sit down in the evening and feel removed from life.”

 

The Kings Cross Apartment offers a quiet and refined example of architecture that doesn’t seek attention, but instead invites a slower, more observant way of living — a retreat not only from the city, but from visual and sensory clutter.