Zero Waste Renovation

Role: Project Architect
Location: Prahran, Victoria
Year: 2020
Area (NLA): 32m2
Cost: $5,000
Stages: All stages
Photography: Mengzhu Jiang / Madina French

Project description:

Located in Prahran, this project revolves around the transformation of a one-bedroom studio apartment earmarked for resale. Guided by her vision for revitalising the space, Madina undertook a comprehensive renovation, meticulously changing all finishes to infuse new life into the interior while prioritising sustainability. Throughout the process, Madina actively sought to reuse materials and avoid construction waste as much as possible. Taking personal charge of the painting process, she imbued each corner with her attention to detail and passion for design. Additionally, Madina worked on staging the apartment for sale, ensuring that the space was presented in its best light to potential buyers. As a testament to the success of the project, the apartment was ultimately sold for a higher price, reflecting the value added through Madina's thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and staging expertise.

Role description:

Madina assumed the dual roles of architect and builder for the renovation of the apartment, taking on the majority of trade work herself, with the exception of tiling due to owner's corporation regulations regarding waterproofing. She initiated the project by establishing its aim: to increase resale value within a budget of $5000. Using Revit and Escape software, Madina modelled the space to explore the concept of painting all internal frames, skirtings, and cornices black, seeking to demonstrate its viability. With the 3D model ready for walkthrough, she gained confidence in this approach and proceeded accordingly. During the Covid lockdown, Madina personally undertook the painting of all surfaces and fixtures, employing spray painting techniques to rejuvenate fixtures and furniture handles. Additionally, she managed external trades such as the tiler and electrician, overseeing their work in compliance with legislative requirements. Once the renovation works were completed, Madina staged the apartment and conducted professional photography herself, ensuring the property was presented in its best light for resale. Throughout the project, Madina demonstrated a versatile skill set, combining architectural expertise with hands-on construction capabilities to achieve a successful outcome within budget constraints.