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Architects: Corben Architects
- Area: 550 m²
- Year: 2015
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Photographs:Justin Alexander
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Manufacturers: Bisanna Tiles, Jetmaster, Max Lawson Carpet, Real Flame, STS Stone, Screenwood, Simple Studio, Tempo Interiors, Terra Nova
Text description provided by the architects. Set on a battle-axe block above a beach adjacent to a nature reserve, this three level house is large and expansive yet articulated to provide intimate spaces designed to maximise its unencumbered sweeping water views from every level.
The brief from the client was to provide an interior that was modern but warm with a casual elegance free of unnecessary embellishment or decoration.
The resultant home is filled with natural light and has been thoughtfully designed to highlight spatial vistas and the breathtaking water views, whilst maintaining privacy from surrounding homes. It provides sophisticated open plan entertaining spaces and relaxed family areas that can be cleverly opened or closed off as required to suit the needs of a growing family. The design also includes secluded spaces of refuge to enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets, cool breezes in summer and the warmth of the sun in winter, a particularly important requirement of the client. Time was also spent fine-tuning the design and spatial planning to accommodate the specific needs of the family to ensure the home is not only beautiful but also highly functional.
The journey from the street begins down a gentle stair in the landscaped access handle shared with the driveway, past a double garage door integrated with wall cladding leading to a custom finished front door. The entry on middle level welcomes one with its light filled double height volume and a striking off-form concrete wall with a timber clad cantilevered stair. The living space beyond, with its centrepiece of beautifully crafted marble kitchen island, is large and expansive yet articulated to provide intimate spaces and framing the panoramic water view.
The upper level consists of the main bedrooms with the private master suite and the ensuite commanding the unencumbered sweeping water views. The lower level consists of guest bedrooms and Rumpus Room that combines with undercover BBQ terrace and swimming pool to provide a private sanctuary with a tranquil resort feel.
In contrast to the geometric building, the landscaping consists of a series of free-form terraces working with the site contours and integrating natural features. Extensive native planting is used to complement the adjacent nature reserve and integrate with its natural context.
The materials palette used throughout the home is dominated by natural products, with extensive use of timber, stone, glass and steel. Furniture and soft furnishings continue the natural theme with leather, timber, marble, wool and linen featuring prominently. The beautifully hand crafted joinery also incorporates solid timber and timber veneer, marble, slate and steel. The material selection was purposely limited and repeated throughout the home extending from inside to outside providing a harmonious overall ‘look and feel’ to the architecture and design.
The project has been an excellent example of a successful and trusting client/architect/interior designer/builder partnership resulting in a detailed contemporary residence from the initial purchase to completion in approximately two years.
