Forest Lodge House

This project, in a beautifully adapted terrace house by architects Stanic Harding, entailed the design and fit-out of 2 home office spaces. The clients are a pair of high-flying marine scientist/educators who regularly work from home, requiring more than your average file storage and shelving for research/reading matter. Office One has been designed as a workspace slash library, with a sprawling built-in sofa covered in dusty pink velvet housing 4 large swing-file drawers. The sofa was designed so that the clients can sit one at each end and fully extend their legs, allowing them to lounge, read and relax together. The ultra-wide shelves overhead have varying depths and subtle supports, giving the illusion of lightness despite their strength. Joinery is finished in a combination of lime-washed oak veneer and a simple E0 white melamine hand-painted to match the walls. The compact, floating desk comprises drawers, a hidden cable tray, hidden shelf, open shelving and an apricot-pink pinboard. A vintage Danish oak-framed chair completes the comfortable set-up. ​ In Office Two, form follows function with a tall cabinet housing 18 shelves for filing different active projects, giving this set-up its unusual form. Its side is covered in aquamarine coloured pinboard. Below are 2 swing-file drawers. The desk itself has been created from a large slice of Camphor Laurel timber. This is supported by a single, solid white leg, giving an illusion of a floating organic form which breaks out from the straight-lined joinery and provides a meaningful surface for work and reflection. The Mirra office chair by Herman Miller was chosen for comfort and sustainability. A mid-century sofa, recovered with 100% linen fabric in ocean green completes this new home office, providing a comfortable reading spot.