Joel Ephraim

Ivory Cosmetics, Retail Fit out

1

The Client

The company Ivory Cosmetics are a sydney based skincare company focusing on sustainable, clean and high-end cosmetics without the high prices. Ivory Cosmetics are commited to the use of sustainable products and packaging, as well as working closely with an aboriginal owned soy candle company, Little Black Duck, creating an incense and candle collection with 40% of proceeds going to The Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

The Concept

The main concept for the store was to reflect the Australian landscape, specifically the Bunda Cliffs, Located in South Australia. The Bunda Cliffs form part of the longest uninterupted line of sea cliffs in the world.

Named after the local indigenous community, the Nullarbor Plain is considered the world largest single exposure of limestome bedrock. Making the focal material of the space limestone.

The flagship store has a high end and artistic design scheme, showcasing Australians connection to the land, whilst taking inspiration from the colours and textures of the Bunda Cliffs and Nullarbor Plain.

The Site

The site is located on 656-658 Crown Street in Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia.

Project Brief

The brief was to design an innovative retail space with a clear design concept reflecting the brand identity. The spatial ideas needed to incorporate retail design theory and consider the retail experience for consumers. The strategy is to sell more, more often to more people, making it a successful business for the client.

The space previously hosted a burlesque, pole dancing and aerial artistry studio, with the goal of converting the space into a cosmetics retail flagship store.

A large fluted plaster feature wall lines the whole staircase and the first floor side wall, drawing the eye up the large skylight that floods the space with natural light.

Custom limestone and ash timber merchandise stand is displayed in the centre of the space upon arrival to the first floor.

A workshop at the back of the store is hiding behind a blush pink flowing wall, covered in a rough plaster finish.

Midday Midnight

The goal was to have a minimal yet elevated look to stand out from the row of shops along Crown Street.

Large limestone blocks were used to clad the ground floor of the facade, rest of the facade was painted in a bright white to keep with the aesthetic of the interior.

The shopfront windows curve gently into the front door, showcasing the products both day and night with spotlights

Construction & Detailing

Crown Street, Surry Hills, Apartment Conversion - 2022, Semester 2

Joel ephraim 2022 C

Joel ephraim 2022 C

Joel ephraim 2022 C

Interior Design & Decoration

Residential Church Conversion

Joel ephraim 2022 C

The Client

Jayda, Erin and their son Otis recently puchased the 45m2 church in Oberon. They are planning on using it as a holiday home and to rent it out when they arent using it, as Erin is a primary school teacher at their local school in wollongong.

The clients have asked for a contemporary and unique design suitable for children, but also wanting it as a space to host family and friends for barbecues and events.

The clients enjoy skiing, hiking and camping and have asked for enough storage to store their outdoor gear in the home, and have asked if possible for an outdoor entertaining area with a kitchen and barbecue to act as an extension of the indoor kitchen.

The Concept

Both Jayda and Erin grew up with pet birds in their families and came up with a concept of a birdcage to focus the design on.

They both have asked for the concept to be applied to the new extension, creating the home as a safe space for their family and friends.

The Site

The church is located in Oberon, New South Wales, Australia

Project Brief

The project brief was to convert an old abonded church into a tiny home. The interior floor size is 45m2, with an existing 2.4m x 2.7m extension that can be changed in anyway but must stay the same size, along with the existing windows on the north and south side of the building.

The space is to fit 3 people and the main consideration was it must be an eco-tiny home.

A pitched ceiling has been constructed to allow for extra height on the first floor, as well as bringing in as much natural light as possible through multiple skylights placed throughout.

The first floor hallway features a long skylight running half the length of the church, with a void on the landing bring more natural light into the ground floor.

Both bedrooms feature custom beds that have been designed to create as much floor space as possible. With a loft single bed in the second bedroom and a sunken platform bed in the main bedroom.

Sustainable Considerations

Rain Water TankStores rain water for drinking, washing and outdoor use. Rain water tanks help reduce water bills on the home.

Underfloor Heating

Can help reduce the overall carbon emissions of a building throughout its lifetime. Has been shown to be 15-20% more efficient than traditional heating.

Double Glaze

Existing WindowsHelps to keep the home cooler in summer and warmer in winter for reduced energy usage by reducing the transfer of heat

Tiles -

Glass tiles do not degrade over time like traditional roof tiles. Solar energy is free, sustainable and completely exhaustable.

Oberon is 180 kilometres and under a 3 hour drive from Sydney, situated on the western fail of the Great Dividing Range. At 1,113 metres above sea level, Oberon experiences cool summers and cold crisp winters, with a slight chance of snow

Taking advanate of the outdoors was key for this project. The church is only metres away from a creek, located on a slightly sloped land, surrounded by trees.

Incorporating an outdoor entertainment deck was important to utilise the land, showcasing the surrounding environment, with a small pergola to shade during summer

Jeffrey Smart Exhibition Space

Limitations

The interior of the space can be manipulated in anyway as long as the interventions are temporary. The space can be reconfigured into any which way as long as the design wont damage or leave anything permanent in the space. The design will have a life of 10 months after which the site must be able to be returned to its original state.

The Concept

The main concept was derived from selected artist, Jeffrey Smarts artwork, Labyrinth. The artwork depicts a never ending maze, which inspired me to replicate life size sculptures of devices painted in his artwork, whilst making viewers explore his work through Smarts labyrinth.

The concept helped with the spatial layout as well as transporting viewers into the theatrical world of Smarts artworks, while inviting them to slow down and explore the space.

The space envokes feelings of melancholy and solitude, making viewers reflect on Smarts life and work, whilst being transported into his world.

The Site

Venice Biennale, Giardini, Venice Italy

Project Brief

The design brief was to design an exhibition at the Australian Pavilion at the next Biennale Arte Di Venezia.

The objectives were to select an Australian artist and at least one piece of their work to display.

The brief asked for an exhibition inspired by the selected artist, that is room-filling, volumetric, and theatrical that will create a unique viewing experience for guests.

The walls and ceiling of the space have been tiled with bronze mirrors to create an illusion when inside as well as reflect the lighting throughout the space. The bronze colouring helps create a dark and melancholic feeling inside the space.

Artemide suspended track lighting was used to achieve a dark yet well-lit space, showcasing just enough of the space for viewers to truely experience what is offered.

An LED light strip facing up towards the bronze mirror ceiling acts as a guide for the viewers to navigate through the space. With LED light strips placed at each entry point of the maze to act as an extra guide for viewers.

The direct lighting on the artwork sprays a warm glow to allow the viewers to inspect the work with its natural colours and textures on display.

Sections

Elements such as the yellow cross walk from “The Stilt Race, JS”, a large lamp post from “Cahill Expressway” and a metal railing from “Morning at Savona” were replicated at a life-size scale and brought into the space to invite viewers into Smarts art world, whilst reading and learning about his life, and the meaning behind his art.

The entry into the maze takes viewers to the outskirts, with signage indicating they must go left or right to enter the maze.

Text has been placed around the space on the walls to allow viewers to read & learn about Jeffrey Smart and his artworks.

The design of the maze has only one entry and exit, inviting viewers to explore every corner to witness the full Jeffrey Smart experience.

A streetlamp and a yellow crosswalk have are replicated from Smarts artworks, “Cahill Expressway” and “The Stilt Race”.

The streetlamp is equipped to turn on and is used as a guidance point for viewers to explore more art.

Benches have also been placed to encourage viewers to sit, slow down, and take a break to view the art on display.

The spotlight highlighting each artwork is to act as a guide for the viewers to slow down and enjoy the piece of artwork before them.

A white powder coated steel railing has been replicated from Smarts artwork “Morning at Savona”, wrapping around the walls acting as a barrier between the viewer and the artwork.

Jeffrey Smarts final work before he passed, “Labyrinth”, is placed in the centre of the maze surrounded by his other works as an honour to his talent and creativity.

The lighting reflected in the ceiling is visible from every angle inside the space, as well as hints of each artwork from certain angles.

QR codes are placed beside each artwork so visitors can read more about each peice, learn more about Jeffrey Smart, as well as access videos and audio guides to enhance the experience for each visitor.

To accommodate for visitors who may be visually impaired, audio tours are available through the QR code placed at the entrance at the visitors counter, with headphones available to those who may need them.

The Client

Freed, Morton & Baxter are an environmental law firm located in Sydney, Australia. They specialise in environmental legislation and case law to advocate for the protection of communities and then environment.

They have extensive experience working with air quality issues, power & renewables, oil & gas, buildings & infrastructure projects, environmental impact assessments and water & waste management cases.

The firm has a total of 170 employees and has work from home flexibilites, so not all 170 will need to be accommodated.

The Concept

The concept for the space focuses on fluidity and movement, with the main drive being contour lines. The concept focuses on mother nature and the tranquility we can experience from our natural environmnet.

A focus on biophilic and resimercial design to create a space for the employees that is calm, comfortable and efficient to encourage productivity and healthy work-life balances.

The Site

Project Brief

The brief was to complete a workplace fit-out for a chosen company. The site is located in North Sydney and needs to pomote and facilitate the flow of the team and collaboration. The space needed to accommodate approximately 100 employees, including 2 receptionists.

The space needed to look professional and welcoming to clients and employees, whilst providing a point of difference and be attractive to encourage staff to work in the office.

The clients have asked for a bright eco space that reflects their mission. They want to incorporate as many natural materials and plants as possible. They have also asked for large amounts of collaboration space as employees tend to work together.

Level

The clients opted for an open plan layout with 4 private offices for the CEO, and the three senior name partners.

On the north side of level 28 is where the senior partners workstations are, with the rest on level 28 and 29 for the rest of the employees.

Long Section

Short Section

The south side of the building has been divided into three separate workstation areas, with focus desks and a colalborative spaces acting as a visual guide to separate each area.

Flooring has also been used to indicate different spaces,with outlines of brass inlay and timber flooring to indicate area change.

All workstations are equipped with storage drawers, as well as planters to provide privacy for employees.

Acoustic ceiling baffles are hung above each workstation to provide enough acoustics to soften noise echoed from the terrazzo flooring.

As well as timber acoustic perforated ceiling tiles to ensure noise levels are low to not distract others.

The reception and hallway follow a fluid movement like a river or a lake, guiding users of the space from one end of the building to the other.

A custom ceiling feature in the hallway illuminates the space whilst following the soft curves and leading staff through the space.

The kitchen and break space are closed off from the rest of the working spaces to provide noise insulation, as well as block of any smells from food.

Lots of timber was used to treat the ceiling, as well as for the chosen furniture to create a warm and cosy environment for staff.

The north side of the building boasts views of north sydney, with a large collaborative space, boardrooms and private offices. With a view of the city available from every angle within the space.

Custom circular timber and fabric ceiling baffles have been hung above the workstations, acting as a divider to separate the spaces.