Habitus display has been shortlisted for an Interior Design Excellence Award (IDEA), one of Australia’s largest and most successful independent design awards programs.

Designed by DKO, the project has been selected as a shortlisted entry under the retail category, with the winners to be announced at the IDEA Gala in November.

Previously located at the project site in South Melbourne, Habitus turns the traditional idea of a residential display suite on itself, utilising the site’s existing warehouse as a stage for the insertion of the scenery within. Beyond the usual apartment display suite, it comprises of a two-storey glass model that evokes a grand sense of scale while being unified with its temporary nature.

Replicating two floors of the highly anticipated five-storey townhome development, the temporary steel structure was created centrally in the warehouse with clear glazing allowing views on all four sides.

Full height curtains add elegance with the ethereal nature of the space perfectly demonstrating the abundance of natural light planned within the development itself. Limited internal walls allow deep visibility through and around, allowing the visitor to view three dimensionally like a sculpture within a gallery.

The full-scale kitchen on the ground floor exudes opulence through the use of richly veined marble and textured timber veneer. Monolithic stone slabs balance on finely detailed joinery, while Gaggenau integrated appliances also add to the premium feel of the space.

Completing the ground floor experience, a comfortable lounge area displays deluxe furniture selections, while centrally located blackened timber stairs allows the visitor to ascend to an extravagant ensuite bathroom and master bedroom with full height joinery robes.

Extensive skylighting above capitalises on existing apertures in the warehouse roof, flooding the exhibit with natural light.

Showcasing exceptional design the Habitus display will compete against 22 other designs for the IDEA.

Read the article on Australian Design Review.