The rooftops on the many new high-rises in Wollongong CBD may have wonderful views of the coast and escarpment - but can also suffer from exposure to heat and, of course, the city's well-known wild winds. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading That was the problem that confronted the penthouse owners in one new tower, who asked local interior design firm Birdblack to help them turn a "completely unusable" piece of prime real estate into a comfortable part of their home.
The outdoor kitchen created by designer Sarah Nolen recently won its category at the Kitchen and Bathroom Design Institute Awards. Birdblack was one of two local businesses to pick up gongs at the Melbourne industry awards, with Woonona resident Pia Watson, of Soleil Studios also winning two categories. Birdblack's work on a striking southern Illawarra home, the Hai Lang Residence , was also recognised, with Ms Nolen and designer Stuart Gibson winning Kitchen Designer of the Year, Best Design Space for the study, Best Large Bathroom in NSW, Best Kitchen Plus in NSW.
Ms Nolen said the outdoor kitchen design for the CBD property known as the Kembla Residence was inspired by a Mediterranean palette, an aimed to make the rooftop usable year round. "They knew that they had this prime real estate that was completely underutilised," she said. "When we went up there for our site measure, it was just so intense - the glare and your head was burning from the sun - and there was so much .