Named after a grandchild born during its construction, Ruby Apartment reimagines a 1970s apartment in Sydney as a flexible home for a pair of downsizers and their growing family.

The original plan was comprehensively reorganised to draw natural light and expansive views deep into the apartment. Living spaces are positioned along the northern edge, while bedrooms and services are consolidated to the south. A multipurpose room and study can be opened to the living area or enclosed with sliding panels, allowing the apartment to shift between a generous one-bedroom retreat and a three-bedroom home when children and grandchildren visit.

Every part of the 120-square-metre footprint has been carefully considered. Circulation doubles as storage, joinery is tailored to the owners’ belongings and curved details soften the transitions between spaces. A restrained palette of timber, stone and muted finishes creates a calm backdrop to the outlook.

The result is a home that feels both generous and intimate, adapting easily between everyday life and an expanding family.