Alicia Holgar’s Avian Apartment embodies an expressive refurbishment within an iconic Brisbane building originally designed by Australian architect Harry Seidler.
Awarded AIDA Best of State Residential Design – Queensland in 2020, Avian Apartment sees the redecoration of a central Brisbane apartment by designer Alicia Holgar. The owners asked for a luxurious inner-city pied-à-terre with a ‘welcoming atmosphere,’ filled with artwork and custom-designed furniture. Initially weighed down by a strong palette of black and red, Alicia introduced a refreshing palette that confidently blends in with the sunny Brisbane locale.
A set of Cesca Chairs, designed by Marcel Breuer atop a custom Agra Rug in Duchess from Armadillo.
‘The Avians’ original mural by Jessalyn Brooks.
The Lederam S2 Pendant designed by Enzo Catellani for Catellani & Smith illuminates the dining table, topped with the Portrait Series Vase by Clay Canoe, Skittle Vase by Damon Moon, Plates by A Ceramics, Fferrone Glassware and Society Linen Napkin.
The Meshmatics Chandelier for Moooi commands attention in the living space, above the layered and cantilevered granite coffee table custom designed by Alicia Holgar. Notable pieces include the Trumpet Coat Stand designed by Space Copenhagen for Mater, ‘RH 245 Downtown’ artwork by Ryan Hoffman from Liverpool Street Gallery, Doppia Presenza Vase and Giorgetti Lancis Bowl. Tiramisu by Porter’s Paints in Eggshell and a custom Field Rug in Ecru from Halcyon Lake provide a neutral base for the eccentric objects to shine.
Custom-designed joinery by Alicia Holgar holds a Walter Auer Sculpture, Black Bust by Shelly Witters from The Vault and a bespoke vase by Rose Jensen-Holm.
“The space is best experienced as a whole, where the sum of many important parts can be fully appreciated,” Alicia Holgar explains. Unique artwork in a range of scopes and sizes dresses walls throughout the apartment. Los Angeles artist Jessalyn Brooks flew in to create the abstract mural that frames the dining space, titled ‘The Avians’ and informing the name of the project. A set of Cesca Chairs designed by Marcel Breuer sit around the custom-designed oak wood dining table by Alicia Holgar, overlooking the Brisbane cityscape.
A table designed by Melbourne-based mason Den Holm greets you in the entrance of the home, adorned with curated objects designed by Jaime Hayon, Guy Maestri and Guido Deleu that sets the tone for the bold and bespoke interiors to follow.
The owners requested to leave the kitchen and bathrooms untouched, so Alicia Holgar set out to completely reinvent every other space. Working with the original parameters of Harry Seidler’s fluid architectural style presented a challenge for Alicia to create adequate storage space within the open floorplan. Lifting cues from the sweeping curves and forms that the architect incorporated into the building, a 5-metre long cantilevered curved wall now runs through the centre of the home, separating the vast floorplan.
A custom-designed table by Den Holm in the entrance of the home features the Ghost sculpture by Guy Maestri, 081 01 Reaction Poetique Centrepiece designed by Jaime Hayon for Cassina, The Visitor ceramics by Guido Deleu and a bowl by A Ceramics.
A custom-designed table by Den Holm in the entrance of the home features the Ghost sculpture by Guy Maestri, 081 01 Reaction Poetique Centrepiece designed by Jaime Hayon for Cassina, The Visitor ceramics by Guido Deleu and a bowl by A Ceramics. This space also includes the Stone Wool Little rug for Nanimarquina and artwork by Daevid Anderson from Lethbridge Gallery.
The bedroom features the Junto Terracotta Carafe & Cup for Normann Copenhagen, Rituals 1 Wall Lamp for Foscarini and Cavalier Bremworth Samurai carpet.
Drenched in natural light, the central living room is a tactile feast, filled with a spectrum of colours. Atop a Halcyon Lake rug, the curved sofa designed by Alicia Holgar grounds the space, complemented by the circular Meshmatics Pendant for Moooi and artwork by Ryan Hoffmann. The Wiggle Chair designed by Frank Gehry injects a playful sense of personality to the room, its curves replicating those in the structure of the apartment.
“Through a sustainable minimum input, maximum output approach, the project has achieved an impressive transformation within budget and timeframe,” Alicia Holgar affirms. By combining an eclectic mix of furniture and materiality, Alicia Holgar has set a new standard for Brisbane’s inner-city residential vernacular.
The Febo Ottoman designed by Antonio Citterio for Maxalto, ‘Mr Tallmadge’ artwork by James King and Paper Clay Colore Bowl designed by Paola Paronetto complete the bedroom.
The study includes ‘Throw Wide Window’ artwork by Claudia Greathead from Jan Murphy Gallery, a vintage Avia Table Lamp designed by J.J.M. Hoogervorst, custom-designed desk by Alicia Holgar and S 64 VDR Chair designed by Marcel Breuer for Thonet.
The Arkad Modular Ottoman by Zilio A&C adds visual interest to the enclosed balcony.
