The Belmont lightwell became, in essence, a living window. The newly designed kitchen faced into this space, which — due to a narrow rear alley behind it — lacked both depth and natural light.
Drawing inspiration from high-end retail display design, particularly the theatrical quality of a Louis Vuitton shopfront, we reimagined the space as something immersive and unexpected.
We painted the enclosure black to dissolve the sense of confinement and visually remove the back boundary wall. To introduce life and movement, we commissioned graffiti artist Lee Herbie to create an emerging jungle mural, with foliage appearing to push forward from the darkness.
At the centre, a striking gold mirror serves as a focal point, complemented by suspended gold birdcages containing moth orchids, adding layers of depth and delicacy.
To address the lack of natural light, we installed an internal skylight above the space, drawing daylight down from the roof and transforming the atmosphere.
By embracing the constraints and applying a touch of visual illusion, the lightwell was transformed into an architectural garden — an evolving living artwork.
Gallery
