Designing the interiors for Vista River Gardens, has allowed the studio the opportunity to tell the story of the site’s rich history through the exploration of the former industries that once characterised the location, combined with celebrating the ‘creative quarter’, which sits adjacent to the scheme, and is now home to Factory International (Aviva Studios).

The main inspiration has stemmed from the historic dyeworks, series of goods warehouses, and railway terminal that once inhabited the site, the studios approach has been to design a series of internal stacked volumes, for residents to explore as they pass through the varied amenities on offer. 

Taking inspiration from the creative melting pot of the locale, the amenity areas provide an abundance of unique spaces. At first floor level the offering includes a ‘Mini-Cini’ and ‘Games Lounge,’ right through to a hidden ‘Speakeasy Bar,’ which offers residents personal liquor locker storage, and an atmospheric space to socialise with friends and neighbours.

At second floor level the clients brief allowed us to propose ideas to activate and connect the wrap-around terrace with the interior spaces. This was achieved via zoning the terrace into three distinguishable areas: outdoor dining and entertaining, social, and a recreational zone. Other areas also include a horizontal ‘bouldering wall,’ ‘deck board’ games area, ‘outdoor screening space’ and ‘putting green.’

Other residential amenities within the third floor include a multi-use suite for residents to book out, a large co-working area provides acoustically lined phone booth pods, along with custom communal tables with integrated power and lighting. A bookable meeting room which also doubles up as a poker and Mahjong room by night, a podcast suite, and a dedicated content creation room. We were also responsible for the design of a 2000 sq ft gym, a multi-use studio space.

The interior colour palette throughout has derived from the natural dye colours found within the Victorian dyeworks, where fabrics were transformed from deep blues, rich purples to vibrant yellows. The introduction of dark timbers, brushed metals, rich velvets and natural stone provide an atmospheric and luxurious backdrop to explore, work and play.