Located in the gentrified inner-western suburbs of Sydney, Rhodes Central is an upcoming mixed-use development by Billbergia, designed to create a new urban village hub set against the backdrop of waterside views and a unique mangrove environment. Capturing the essence of the prime locality was paramount to MXM Design Studio, engaged by Billbergia to design the lobby and a pivotal sales suite for Tower B.
For the design of the sales suite, MXM Design Studio worked to an overall concept of ‘curved consciousness’, creating a tranquil space for the sales team that mirrors the curvaceous form of the building exterior and the fluid movement of the river. The result is a professional yet welcoming environment that features a rich interplay of natural materiality and evokes an overall sense of calm for occupants.
The raw materiality that was integral to the overall design of the sales suite is highlighted by the extensive use of timber veneer throughout the space. MXM Design Studio specified WoodWall Cumulus from the patented Elton Group range of high-quality timber veneers as a means to incorporate the natural beauty of timber into the project. Offering both aesthetic beauty and enhanced functionality, the innovative WoodWall technology was perfectly suited to the full-height walls and curvaceous forms of the sales suite interior.
Underpinning the designer and developer’s desire to bring nature into the space, WoodWall (in colour, Cumulus) acts as the perfect accompaniment to the waterside environment, generating a tranquil atmosphere for future residents to first experience the beauty of their new natural surroundings. The large, sequenced sheets provide an undulating timber surface that draws parallels directly from the topography of the Rhodes Peninsula.
Rejecting the preconceived constraints within which designers have traditionally created sales suites, MXM Design Studio has utilised Elton Group’s advanced WoodWall technology to push the boundaries of timber veneer in both design and application. The end result is a soft and relaxing sales suite that utilises natural materiality to bring the outside in.
Words: James Lyall Smith
Photography: Ryan Linnegar