The Home of an Architect Designed for Small Living (House Tour)

The Home of an Architect Designed for Small Living (House Tour)

The home of architect, Clovelly Apartment represents a considered approach to small space living. Designing his family home brought architect James Garvan great joy – from seeing the recognising the apartment’s potential all the way through to the detailed craftsmanship that now defines the home’s interior. The original block was rundown, with a classic 1960s floorplan that was inconsistent to how families live today. By opening up the floorplan, the apartment has become a generous and connected architects’ home.

Part of the potential of Clovelly Apartment was its beach location and the undeniably breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean. Being the home of an architect, many of the design choices became obvious from the outset. James maximised the small living space, creating an intense connection to its coastal outlooks. This focus – bringing the outside in – allows the light quality to change throughout the day and the apartment to fully embrace its coastal site.

As the home of an architect, the apartment emphasises detail and craft. The original walls were removed, seeing steel beams installed to carry the weight of the building, creating an interplay between the structure and the delicate wood joinery. The light-coloured timber and refrained colour palette meant that James and his family could put their own footprint on the interior design, bringing character into the room through artwork, décor, and furniture. Other features, such as the brass elements of the design, allow personality to shine through. As the brass evolves over time, it becomes marked – a touching way to measure time, which is now embedded in the material, and the building itself.

With its inventive use of design, Clovelly Apartment is truly the home of an architect.

Architecture by James Garvan Architecture.
Construction by Hancock Homes.
Photography by Katherine Lu.
Filmed and Edited by Cheer Squad Film Co.
Production by The Local Project.

For more from The Local Project:

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Musicbed SyncID – MB01MPNNCXYX4WQ

#TheHomeOfAnArchitect #Apartment #SmallLiving

35 Comments

  1. Keith Ronson on May 27, 2021 at 4:00 am

    James. Jaw-dropping! Utterly beautiful. A real home. With feeling and will get better with age. Materials, wood, the doors and indeed location. It’s not about size but utilising the space. Your owrk here is outstanding. You and your family have an amazing home. A real showcase for your Practice. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe.

  2. Olivia Hides on May 27, 2021 at 4:01 am

    Such a beautiful space! Great to see an innovative use of material and creative layout changes

  3. jane doe on May 27, 2021 at 4:04 am

    The pink toothpaste secondarily box because pepper recently branch behind a trite balloon. toothsome, plucky aftermath

  4. C B on May 27, 2021 at 4:04 am

    love love love it! Also Clovelly is lovely for a snorkel :’)

  5. fierywoman pacnw on May 27, 2021 at 4:07 am

    Gorgeous architectural work — but the music is very distracting from what he is saying.

  6. Design For Life on May 27, 2021 at 4:08 am

    Wow nice

  7. Yumemour on May 27, 2021 at 4:12 am

    Your videos are the best!

  8. Kelvin Soetardjo on May 27, 2021 at 4:13 am

    Simple creative! Nice job!

  9. Rose Onans on May 27, 2021 at 4:14 am

    Such a light and calming space!

  10. James Smith on May 27, 2021 at 4:18 am

    The Bondi to Coogee walk just gained another highlight! Prime location for one the worlds most picturesque bowlos as well! Well done all – another slick production from my favorite YouTube channel.

  11. MM on May 27, 2021 at 4:21 am

    Extraordinarily Ordinary.

  12. Mr. Anonym on May 27, 2021 at 4:22 am

    Why does everyone think they need to place Aesop products all around their home? 🤔

  13. hamham on May 27, 2021 at 4:23 am

    I really like this particular project. It’s smaller in terms of sq feet when compared to other projects shown in this channel, but it’s something that I could envision younger people gravitating towards with its careful consideration of materials and impeccable planning. I am really inspired by this.

  14. DIOIC _ on May 27, 2021 at 4:25 am

    thats such a lovely interview and impression of the project. Well done.

  15. Chris Mehmet on May 27, 2021 at 4:27 am

    I absolutely love the amount of wood + the minimal facades in the kitchen. Incredible visuals too!

  16. Sonic on May 27, 2021 at 4:28 am

    dream

  17. C Brownes on May 27, 2021 at 4:28 am

    What a beautiful, beautiful space. And my sister and I both said: what a genuinely nice guy! No arrogance just someone who truly knows his craft 👏

  18. huy hoang vu on May 27, 2021 at 4:29 am

    The elated comparison intracellularly cause because history simultaneously advise as a mammoth microwave. royal, electric hexagon

  19. Kathleen V on May 27, 2021 at 4:30 am

    Love the use of materials, especially the brass – such a simple and small detail that really elevates the space. Beautiful!

  20. Homes We Love on May 27, 2021 at 4:33 am

    Simply beautiful! 😍

  21. Gwiggz on May 27, 2021 at 4:33 am

    amazing!

  22. Terence Mitchao on May 27, 2021 at 4:34 am

    very japandi. I also like how all the raised surfaces sort of just floats

  23. platymel on May 27, 2021 at 4:35 am

    love that he appreciates tarnished brass. a way of “marking time”, he said.
    beaut.

  24. s on May 27, 2021 at 4:36 am

    annoying music

  25. Fernando Fernández on May 27, 2021 at 4:38 am

    1:20 amazing view. (to the right 💀☠👻🧟‍♂️🤣🤣🤣)

  26. Lars Stougaard on May 27, 2021 at 4:39 am

    Great warm feeling with the plywood and same color tones, like sun light and beach front 😊

  27. sofia echesortu on May 27, 2021 at 4:40 am

    Truly beautiful, minimal and functional family home with possibly the best location in Sydney! Such a clever use of space and materials maximize the natural light in the apartment. Well done James Garvan!

  28. radhikapatil1986 on May 27, 2021 at 4:40 am

    I love the warmth timber has given to this space.

  29. Jackson Hides on May 27, 2021 at 4:40 am

    I love the smaller scale projects on this channel – they feel more attainable and are awesome design inspiration for my own place. Well done to James and his team!

  30. minnie saab on May 27, 2021 at 4:41 am

    👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  31. Georgia Kelly on May 27, 2021 at 4:41 am

    that location is incredible!!!

  32. papiergummi on May 27, 2021 at 4:44 am

    I absolutely adore the material choices! Well done

  33. Sam Pacitto-Rusconi on May 27, 2021 at 4:49 am

    So nice – well done

  34. Adam M on May 27, 2021 at 4:53 am

    Nobody’s gonna comment on the cemetery? lmao

  35. Liane Aroha on May 27, 2021 at 4:56 am

    Particularly with these smaller homes, it would be great to get less of the "movie" shots and more of the nuts & bolts of the inside. Glimpses are great for an overview but for those of us interested in inspiration, being "in: the space by way of the camera would be much more appreciated. Very much enjoyed James speaking about his home, one of the more down-to-earth and real sounding architects I’ve seen on this channel. Oh what I would do for some ‘before’ shots as well!

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