Envisioned as a quiet retreat from the city, this inner-city apartment is a refined study in light, texture, and precision—a personal expression of architect and homeowner Phillip Mathieson’s values in their purest form.
In partnership with Blum
Peering down at the hustle of Kings Cross, and a melange of design styles and eras dotted around Potts Point, is in one of Sydney’s most iconic apartment buildings—Altair Apartments, originally designed by Engelen Moore in roughly the year 2000. Within this icon of a building is the home of architect Phillip Mathieson. Designed for himself and his partner Thierry Dagnicourt, the reinvigoration of this Kings Cross Apartment is something of a manifesto for Mathieson. It distils the essence of the Mathieson Architects philosophy: simplicity, material integrity, and spatial generosity.
From the outset, the intention was clear. This was intended as a restorative space. “It was about creating a really calm, serene environment,” Mathieson explains, “a retreat from the outside world.” The bones of the apartment are set within a structure already deeply architectural, yet Mathieson approached the reworking with a respectful hand, stripping the apartment back to a shell and rebuilding it with precision and restraint.
A key feature of the kitchen is the central island bench. Downdraft extractor fans disappear when not in use, and each of the drawer fronts appears as a single, uniform piece that, when opened, reveals internal drawers that are possible using Blum’s LEGRABOX, accompanied by AMBIA-LINE inner dividing systems.
Inside, the palette is elemental. Sandblasted limestone lines the floor and walls, its tactile surface softens the way natural light and shadow move through the space. “It has an amazing texture underfoot,” Mathieson notes, “and diffuses light in such a beautiful way.” To introduce an element of contrast, a flamed black granite island, craned into place—anchors the open-plan kitchen and living area, wrapped in dark-stained oak veneer.
Nowhere is the apartment’s architectural discipline more evident than in the joinery. Working within a compact footprint, Mathieson maximises space through clever integration and concealed functionality. Here, Blum’s storage solutions and inner dividing systems play a foundational role.
The kitchen wall is a thesis in discretion. What appears as an unbroken timber plane hides a full kit of function: a concealed coffee station, a bar with a pop-up sink, and appliances that lift and glide open with a touch. “One of the things that was really important was not having any visible handles or door pulls,” Mathieson says. To enable the vision of absolute minimalism, Mathieson has used Blum’s SERVO-DRIVE and SERVO-DRIVE flex systems. These enable a refined level of seamlessness and remove visual clutter while enhancing access and ease.
Everything that could possibly be recessed and hidden, has been. The back kitchen wall is a masterclass in joinery detailing, with a floor-to-ceiling wall of cabinets, opening to reveal a bar, including a sunken tap. To achieve such a level of refinement, Mathieson integrated hardware solutions from Blum.
The kitchen island continues this commitment to both form and function. Blum’s LEGRABOX drawers appear as a single surface, but silently reveal internal drawers and AMBIA-LINE inner dividing systems that ensure everything has its place. Even within the larger drawers, smaller inner compartments offer tiered organisation, subtly elevating the everyday.
The SPACE TOWER pantry further supports this ethos—spacious, ergonomic, and fully extendable, it speaks to the same belief Mathieson brings to his architecture: that even the smallest design decisions should offer something back.
Executing a level of finesse across every corner, Mathieson also reconfigured the floorplan. A former pokey study has been replaced with a walk-in wardrobe, while the bathroom is enlarged and refined. To bring a layer of continuity, the limestone is carried through from floor to ceiling, replicating the material language of the main living area.
Exuding minimalism, the main material palette is a rough-hewn limestone, punctuated by the dark kitchen island.
“One of the things that was really important was not having any visible handles or door pulls.”
— Architect, Phillip Mathieson
Small in scale, but big in design philosophy, Mathieson’s own Kings Cross Apartment is an expression of his own aesthetic.
Despite its modest scale, the apartment feels expansive. Floor-to-ceiling glazing opens onto a lush private terrace, while carefully curated pieces—from Christian Liaigre furniture to artworks by Thomas Paquet—create moments of quiet drama.
“It’s quite hard to put into words what it’s actually like to be in a space like this,” Mathieson 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.” What stands out the most, are the quiet elements of clarity. A feat that reinforces that architecture at its best doesn’t need to speak loudly—it just needs to feel right.
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