The existing ground floor plan of the original house was retained to separate the residential area from the studio. The tenant in the residential area has free access to utilize the entire ground floor space. Courtyard spaces on the ground floor allow the different users of the building (resident occupant, studio staff and cleaning / maintenance staff) different reprieves and varying levels of privacy. These are demarcated respectively by a screen wall of concrete blocks on the street front and re-used timber palettes planted with succulents on the northern side. Large sliding doors create the impression of a much larger ground floor space that is seamlessly connected to the exterior courtyards.

The staircase is treated as a separate form to the rest of the building and protrudes out of the building at an angle. This allows natural light to enter both levels and makes the staircase part of a cinematic journey through the space with views towards the street. Standard unplaned and untreated timber planks were used as treads with the rough unfinished concrete risers painted dark to visually ‘pull’ the staircase away from the white walls. The staircase surrounds an art display, allowing visual access from various perspectives.