Tag: architects

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Architecture Design Interiors Addict Interviews

Download digital house plans & schedules from The Designory

After 10 busy years building and running a multi-disciplinary design studio, working on over 400 client projects and amassing an Instagram following in excess of 260k, The Designory director Melissa Bonney was a little burnt out and looking for a career pivot.

“We’ve done so many beautiful client projects but I felt like it was time for a reinvention. We get constant questions through our website and Instagram and we’re inspiring and teaching people at the same time. We’ve become more of an education platform in a way,” says Melissa, who has just launched The Designory’s Digital Resources to cater to this demand.

Created to demystify the world of design and teach you everything that Melissa and her talented team know, the offering gives you access to all the tools, tips and professional know-how to help you create your dream interiors. You can affordably shop the brand’s in-house documentation including architectural plans, detailed designs, schedules and even smaller details like specific tiles or furniture items. “Good design should be for everyone and not just for those that can afford the big dollars. I’m so excited about these products,” says Melissa who explains that the digital downloads vary in price from $15 for a single item to $2,500 for a full set of architectural plans.

Samudra bedroom
Samudra House bedroom
Samudra House
Samudra House design schedule

Comprised of easy-to-read, downloadable PDFs that can be purchased individually or as a bundle (room by room and house by house), from concept to construction, you can now recreate The Designory look for a fraction of the cost and without the decision fatigue.

“As a design firm, when we’re doing these projects we’ve got these massive schedules that sit behind them. It’s everything down to tile layout, grout colour and the mechanism in the drawer runners,” says Melissa. A super smooth process, the schedules contain fully clickable links that allow you to click through and make purchases.

Users can choose elements from individual projects (there’s three now with nine available soon) or buy a complete set of plans. “The plans are so detailed that you can literally print them and hand them straight to your builder, trades or consultants,” says Melissa.

The Samudra is one of the house designs you can purchase from
The Samudra is one of three house designs you can purchase from

And while you can purchase all the details from a specific house, you can also come up with an entirely bespoke design solution. “The idea is that you can mix and match houses to come up with something unique. You can copy it entirely or be inspired and take elements from a couple of houses,” says Melissa.

Sikata kitchen
Sikata kitchen
Sikata house
Melissa would charge 15k minimum to design a kitchen but the plans for this one can be downloaded for $850.

“Of course, we’ll continue to be your go-to design bible for all things building, interiors, architecture and design, but we’re pulling back the curtain and we couldn’t be more excited!”

Check out The Designory Digital Resources

Byron Bay: The most luxurious farmhouse you’ve ever seen

With its rough sawn hardwood beams, plywood ceilings and exposed brickwork it’s difficult to believe that this stunning home is…

Green scheme: holiday home a lesson in luxe

The talented team from The Designory are back and this time they’ve created the ultimate holiday home; in Byron Bay no…
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Architecture House Tours

The Riviera by Metricon: the display home of the year

The Riviera by Metricon has been crowned as the Display Home of The Year in the 2021 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards, confirming its status as officially the best display home in Australia. Let’s take a look at why!

The Riviera design has now won an incredible nine awards nationally, with its opulence, functionality, and carefully considered detail proving to deliver the ultimate lifestyle home. It has really upped the ante for volume builders and impressed judges across the country.  

“The Riviera is really a breakthrough home, setting new standards for volume building design,” says Adrian Popple, the design director of Metricon. “For me to sit down and get creative and design something completely different was exciting. To see it hit the ground and know that families all around Australia are loving it, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

The Riviera is a great example of well-designed, luxurious living that is smartly planned to make the most of an indoor/outdoor lifestyle.  

With a ground floor dedicated to entertainment and lifestyle, the expansive open plan kitchen, which includes a butler’s pantry and a wet bar that overlooks the large dining room, is situated at the heart of the home. Beyond the dining room is the extra-large alfresco entertaining space, that is separated by doors that can be completely opened to create a seamless integration between the indoors and the outdoors.

On the first floor there is an extravagant master suite with a private balcony, ensuite and large walk-in-robe; a media room; and three other bedrooms all with their own ensuite and walk-in robes.  

This smart design balances an abundance of space and options for the family to entertain large groups, along with allowing spaces for family members to retreat and for private downtime.

Explore the Riviera online

Is this the best house in Australia? Houses Awards 2020 announced!

A humble beachside restoration in the Gold Coast suburbs has been awarded the 2020 Australian House of the Year. Chosen by a panel of industry experts, Cantala Avenue House by…

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Design Interviews Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Skinny extension lets light in to Melbourne home

The second floor of the new extension sits wedged between its neighbours on either side

“Fortunately, there are a lot of recreation facilities in the inner north of Melbourne, so this site didn’t necessarily need a big backyard,” says architect Paul Gardiner of this project; a renovation set on a 204 sqm sliver of land in Brunswick, wedged between buildings on either side.

The home’s new timber and concrete clad extension

The home is nestled between neighbours

While close to cafes, transport and parks, the site is small, long and narrow with a childcare centre on one side, and a two-storey large red brick home on the other. “Due to these neighbours, the house felt quite crammed in on both sides. The site still held opportunity, though the original building was in a very poor state,” says Paul.

Kitchen
Kitchen

The original home consisted of two rooms at the front with a kitchen, living and dining area at the back. “The back of the house consisted of a typical lean-to extension,” says Paul who retained the very front part of the house, despite there being no heritage overlay on the site.

“Keeping the front of the house, along with being a more sustainable approach, felt like a more sensitive response to the street frontage. Numerous heritage facades in the area have been lost as new developments replace the traditional style single dwellings,” says Paul.

Courtyard
The home has a small courtyard in the centre

A central courtyard now sits at the rear of the home, allowing northern light into the ground-level living areas that include a kitchen, living, dining, bathroom, laundry and study nook. “Large, east-facing windows ensure the passage through the house, that connects the old and new areas, is full of natural light,” says Paul.

Hydrotherm radiators ensure the home is toasty in winter
Hydrotherm radiators ensure the home stays warm in winter

The home’s colour scheme was developed around its connection to the outdoors and is intentionally neutral and pared back, allowing future owners to put their stamp on it.

Ensuite
Ensuite

Master bedroom
Master bedroom

“We wanted to create spaces that were enjoyable, light and interesting, allowing anyone to be able to come in and incorporate their own taste,” says David, referencing the home’s rental status. Coloured tiles provide a splash of colour in both the kitchen and bathroom – a nice complement to the light wood tones that feature throughout.

Bathroom
Bathroom

Photography: Rory Gardiner

For more on Hydrotherm | For more on Gardiner Architects

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Architecture Design Designers

2019 Houses Awards shortlist: Curves & stone trending

Kew Apartment by Sarah Wolfendal. Photography: Shannon McGrath
Kew Apartment by Sarah Wolfendal. Photography: Shannon McGrath

Currently in its ninth year, the 2019 Houses Awards finalists were revealed recently and with a total of 502 entries to sort through, there’s plenty of amazing architectural and interior design inspiration to be found in the list. From homes created to highlight their foundations (huge chunks of natural rock inside seem to be trending!) to beautifully sculptural curves and a new build that looks like a heritage home, we’re hard pressed to pick a favourite project.

Hawthorn House by Edition Office. Photography: Ben Hosking
Hawthorn House by Edition Office. Photography: Ben Hosking

“The jury was impressed by the emphasis on place and space making, rather than architecture that is typologically or formally driven. The standout homes are those that are connected with the people who live in them and consider how the spaces might influence the inhabitants’ experience of day-to-day life,” says Katelin Butler, a 2019 juror and editorial director of Architecture Media, the publisher of Houses magazine.

The North Curl Curl Residence by Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design. Photography: Barton Taylor
North Curl Curl Residence by Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design. Photography: Barton Taylor

North Curl Curl by Andrew Donaldson. Photography: Barton Taylor
The North Curl Curl Residence features an internal courtyard built around a natural sandstone cliff. Photography: Barton Taylor

“Many of the shortlisted projects are acutely sensitive to site and context, are conceptually legible and display an honesty of material expression,” says Katelin.

Cove House by Justin Humphrey. Photography: Andy Macpherson
Cove House by Justin Humphrey Architect. Photography: Andy Macpherson

Cove House by Justin Humphrey. Photography: Andy Macpherson
Cove House by Justin Humphrey Architect. Photography: Andy Macpherson

Divided into nine categories including new houses, alterations and additions, apartments and units, landscape projects and houses in a heritage context, one home will be awarded the coveted ‘Australian House of the Year’ award together with $5000 in cash when the winners are announced at a gala awards night in Melbourne on July 26.

Kew Apartment by Sarah Wolfendal. Photography: Shannon McGrath
Kew Apartment by Sarah Wolfendale Interior Design. Photography: Shannon McGrath

Kew Apartment by Sarah Wolfendal. Photography: Shannon McGrath
Kew Apartment by Sarah Wolfendale Interior Design. Photography: Shannon McGrath

Crescent House by Matthew Woodward Architecture is an impressive and undulating home that weaves through lush gardens and makes its way down to Sydney Harbour – the home’s stunning interiors compete with panoramic views of Middle Head in the distance. I love the rooftop gardens.

Crescent House by Matthew Woodward. Photography: Murray Frederic
Crescent House by Matthew Woodward Architecture. Photography: Murray Fredericks

Crescent House by Matthew Woodward. Photography: Murray Frederic
Crescent House by Matthew Woodward Architecture features a natural rock formation too. Photography: Murray Fredericks

Sitting amid heritage listed interwar bungalow homes in Melbourne, Brighton House by Architecture Caissin was designed so as not to disrupt the historically significant streetscape. Gabled roofs, arched arcades and porches connect with beautifully landscaped gardens.

Brighton House by Architecture Caissin. Photography: Peter Clarke
Brighton House by Architecture Caissin. Photography: Peter Clarke

Brighton House by Architecture Caissin. Photography: Peter Clarke
Brighton House by Architecture Caissin. Photography: Peter Clarke

Canopy House by Leeton Pointon Architect is comprised of a series of sculptural forms including a beautiful spiral staircase (a design that is clearly having a moment!) and lots of light-filled, neutral spaces.

Canopy House by Leeton Pointon. Photography: Lisa Cohen
Canopy House by Leeton Pointon Architect. Photography: Lisa Cohen

officially having a moment! Canopy House by Leeton Pointon. Photography: Lisa Cohen
Canopy House by Leeton Pointon. Photography: Lisa Cohen

For more | 2019 Dulux Colour Awards finalists

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Architecture Design Designers House Tours Interviews

Real home: Inner-city ‘Dollhouse’ built on tiny block

Dollhouse front elevation

Built atop just 173 square metres of land, this North Perth home, affectionately titled ‘The Dollhouse 2.0’ is proof that bigger isn’t always better. The home’s owners and architects Jakub and Laura Chruscinski decided to eschew the wide open spaces of more far-flung suburbs and stay living in the city when looking to expand their family.

Dollhouse front elevation
‘Dollhouse 2.0’ was designed by JC Design Studio in association with Laura Chruscinski, Architect

“The design brief was to create a family home that functioned on a small footprint close to the city centre, that felt comfortable and spacious for everyday living with the flexibility to cater for larger gatherings. After living for close to 10 years in a small inner city​ ​villa, we valued the benefits and convenience of living close to the CBD. With this in mind, and wanting to start a family in the near future, we decided to build small and central, so that we could still have access to the lifestyle we enjoyed,” says Laura Chruscinski echoing a trend we reported on recently.

Dining and kitchen
Dining and kitchen

“We found a small subdivided 173m2 lot in North Perth, which enabled us to gain those few extra rooms we needed, without having to build a large house with spaces that we don’t need and further out from where we wanted to be. By building small, we’ve had to be clever about how we’ve used the spaces, so they have the ability to expand as needed,” says Laura.

Bathroom
Bathroom

The project’s most striking aspect, its dollhouse-like front elevation, was influenced by the work of Swiss architects Herzog and De Meuron. “The child-like impression of a ‘house-shaped’ form has always been somewhat of an obsession of mine since university, in particular projects such as Herzog and De Meuron’s house in Leymen. This particular form lent itself to the North Perth vernacular, with its pitched roofs and picket fences,” says Laura.

Dollhouse from the side

The home’s diminutive size was catalyst for some clever design solutions, particularly when it came to joinery. “Working with small spaces, we have put a lot of emphasis on the functionality of cabinetwork and built-in features. Our favourite part of the home is the bench seat which spans across one full side of the living room. It provides overflow seating for guests, as well as storage via the drawers underneath. The bench then continues externally in the same plane, but in concrete block, separated by a louvred window which provides a connection between the indoor and outdoor living,” says Laura.

The bench seat continues from inside to the alfresco
The bench seat continues from inside to the alfresco

Capturing the northern light was also central to the design – Laura and Jakub were so intent on it that they sacrificed floor space in the end. “Our neighbours’ site has a four metre high wall on our northern boundary so we made the decision to pull the upper storey off the northern boundary a significant amount and create a large window on this elevation that opens up into a double void space over our dining and kitchen area,” says Laura. It’s a decision that means the home is flooded with natural light all year round, but it wasn’t without cost.

A light-filled void makes the small home feel more spacious
A light-filled void makes the small home feel more spacious

“That decision, while for a lot of people would equate to a loss of floor area internally​, ​for us has equated to a central light well in the space that permeates through the rest of the home. Despite being a small home, this design feature ensures that we always have access to light and ventilation which gives the home its sense of spaciousness. To us, this is much more valuable than having additional rooms,” says Laura.

Perth readers can tour this home (and many fabulous others) when it opens as part of the upcoming Open House Perth programme on November 10-11, 2018. 

For more | Savvy space ideas for smaller properties

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Architecture House Tours

Staircase shines in stunning Double Bay new build home

By Joe Schutzer-Weissmann

Set in a north-facing cove in Sydney’s Double Bay, the site of this stunning new-build borders a park and a public pier which juts out into the water. If that wasn’t dreamy enough, there’s a pristine beach directly in front of it.

The building appears as a collection of planes; a play on space, privacy and threshold. Graphite grey sail screens (made from Kaynemaile, a polycarbonate chainmail developed in New Zealand for the Lord of the Rings movies) are rigged just off the house, providing privacy from the road. Timber cladding, plastered walls, a wood-clad soffit and the exaggerated sill of a bay window punched through the sail screens, are layered into further planes. This game creates depth in an otherwise linear façade and provides privacy whilst maximising light and views to the park.

Set into this façade the stairwell is fully glazed, but wrapped protectively in a cloak of timber louvres. This gently curved outline contrasts with the surrounding crystalline box and mediates between the formal entrance and bedrooms above.

Entry is off the park, where a ramp, edged by water, slopes gently up to the front door, the little rise adding to the sense of arrival. Here the U-shaped plan of the house becomes clear; the entrance is a link between two wings, separated by an internal garden which, like an internal harbour, allows views through the spaces to the bay beyond. Seen from the courtyard, a massive blank wall of the upper storey seems to weigh on the glazed levity of the ground floor, amplifying the bay view beneath it.

The bayside wing of the house is one open plan space. Stairs, rather than walls, delineate the raised kitchen and family dining from more formal areas. These stairs extend seawards into the garden, drawing the eye out to the view and providing privacy from the road. The garden is raised above the towpath to provide additional privacy from the beach and to dissolve the distinction between the garden and bay from within. This is emphasised in the pool, whose orientation and extension towards the water makes a clear connection between the two.

An oversailing timber roof canopy connects the street side to the garden and the beach. It permeates the interior, presenting itself at odd moments, it protects and defines the collection of internal and external spaces composed beneath. From the water it is a defining motif; expressive of lightness, reflective of the sea and the canopies of the trees.

From the street and bay view, the other predominant elevation of the house, the largely glazed lower story is lost below crisp white walls, black framed window boxes and sail screens. A large Lilly Pilly tree was preserved and frames the street side.

Materials were carefully chosen; the use of wood, white walls and travertine floors reflect the seaside setting. Off-shutter concrete is used as a playful accent which, like the rendered walls, appears almost soft and textured in contrast to crisp folds of screen and aluminium.

Architects, SAOTA, displayed their South African signature in this design with its sharp lines, light forms and the lush integration of nature, which all combine to make the design feel at home in this special site. A playful character, the calculated blurring of boundaries and the fresh, layered composition bring into balance the domestic needs of a young family and the wow factor that this phenomenal site deserves. SAOTA’s sister company, the interior studio ARRCC, developed a refined décor palette to suit the home and complement the client’s artworks.

As architects in association, TKD worked closely with the client, ensuring that SAOTA’s detailed design was delivered and a dream home realised. Their creativity, perseverance and commitment to design excellence was a key success factor. Lighting design by Point Of View and landscaping by Wyer & Co. combined with the dedication of main contractor, Horizon, to deliver a quality home with an exceptionally high level of finish.

–Joe Schutzer-Weissmann is a Junior Associate at SAOTA.

An architect’s daring extension at his home in Melbourne

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Designers

All you need to know in preparation for Sydney Indesign 2015

With only six days to go until Australia’s premier design event kicks off, we give you all the information you need to know in order to be prepared come Thursday 13 August!

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So, what’s happening?

At Sydney Indesign they’re all about serving up a whole buffet of design related events and creative activities! The industry-savvy editors of Indesign, Habitus and DQ magazines will be on the scene, as well as some seriously cool events held by the exhibitors. For a sneak peek of what’s to come, check out the program.

The ultimate design kit!

Sydney Indesign 2015 is literally the biggest event they’ve ever done. So to make your event journey easier, they’ve crafted the ultimate design kit so you can master your very own #SID15 experience. They are giving you the lot: custom handbook, interactive app, hot-spot map, bus routes and timetables, timed-event schedule and much, much more! Head to the event guide for more information.

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Design hot-spots

In 2015, Sydney Indesign’s extensive network of exhibitors take over the city, forming a vivid constellation of iconic touch-points, spread across six major design precincts. Sydney Indesign’s showrooms are the real coup of the event and it has never been easier to get amongst your favourite movers and shakers.

Hop-on Hop-off shuttles are running between Alexandria, Chippendale, Darlinghurst, Eveleigh, Redfern/Waterloo and Surry Hills to make it easy and simple for visitors to circulate among Sydney’s showrooms and immerse themselves in the design culture of each prized location.

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Are you on the invite list?

Tickets are now on sale for the design party of the year. The industry’s most iconic bash returns, giving you a chance to let your hair down and rub shoulders with 500+ of Australian design’s most iconic players. Want an invite? All you need to do is pre-register to secure your Official Wrap Party ticket and receive 25% off!

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Designers Furniture Homewares

Sydney Indesign is back this August

Now in its 12th year, Indesign will return to Sydney from 13 to 15 August, cementing itself as the premier design event for connecting architects, designers, suppliers and design lovers.

SydneyIndesign_16

With a blockbuster program over three days, members of the design community will get the chance to connect and interact through numerous touch points. Spread across four major design precincts and 40+ showroom destinations, visitors can engage with the brands they love and be the first to see the latest product and furniture releases.

SydneyIndesign_20

Also on show will be the third edition of Galleria at the Australian Technology Park, an immersive open plan design experience offering up a lively mix of brands – both Australian and international — and an exciting line-up of local and global product launches. To add to this, Sydney Indesign’s WorkLife, Habitus’ Livelife and DQ’s Round Table seminar series will return, inviting local and global thought leaders to nut out key issues surrounding the disciplines of architecture and design.

Registration is free and gives you all-day travel on their shuttle buses, taking you between each location on the design trails.

For more information.

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Designers The Block

New Sydney cafe designed by The Block architects

Designed by The Block architects, Sydney’s latest coffee shop, Bay Ten Espresso, is industrial, honest and completely unique.

Bay Ten Espresso

Situated in a heritage warehouse in Lavender Bay, the inspired fit-out designed by Brenchley Architects, features 10-metre century-old concrete walls and a dramatic expanse of windows. Playing true to the industrial heritage of the space, the interiors are raw and recycled, with palette seating along the wall topped with leather pads and stacks of cushions to create comfy private nooks and two long, stainless steel tables offering shared space and room to spread.

Bay Ten Espresso

“Working in heritage spaces is a privilege,” says Brenchley Architects director, Julian Brenchley. “Essentially we are custodians of environmental heritage which is no less important and is often overlooked, lost or damaged by poor decisions. Bay Ten Espresso is such a unique space; there is nothing like it anywhere. All the historic infrastructure in and around the Harbour Bridge is remarkable in scale and has an industrial-engineered character.”

Bay Ten Espresso

Taking centre stage is a recycled shipping container, remodelled to serve as the working hub of the espresso bar. It comes with a bit of latter-day notoriety as well, having been one of the vessels used to smuggle 600kg of pseudoephedrine into Australia. “The new fit-out was inspired by what might have been,” says Julian. “We’ve referenced transport-related objects such as the repurposed shipping container and given it a workshop look and feel, allowing the past uses of the space to honestly inform the design outcome.”

Bay Ten Espresso

Bay Ten Espresso also shares the warehouse with The Body Mechanic, a specialist bike maintenance outfit run by elite athletes. It’s open Monday to Friday, 7am – 3pm, at at Bay 10, Middlemiss Street, Lavender Bay, Sydney.

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Designers House Tours The Block

Darren Palmer gives new apartment complex his designer touch

The Block Glasshouse isn’t the only apartment complex interior designer Darren Palmer has been spending time at recently! This Saturday, he will head up the launch of a signature development in the heart of Moonee Ponds.

20140909_MooneePonds_MaxDoyle_31

A first for Darren and his design studio, MoPo is a 126-apartment development with luxury indoor and outdoor retreats he has conceived and designed. As the project’s ambassador and designer, he will be speaking with prospective buyers and attendees, discussing his vision for the development and showcasing bespoke furnishings and designs that will feature throughout.

20140909_MooneePonds_MaxDoyle_505 (16.09.14)

I don’t know about you but I am loving that colour palette!

The public are invited to go along and meet Darren and receive a signed, free copy of his interior style guide Moments of Potential.

When: This Saturday 18 October 2014, 12 noon to 2pm

Where: On-site display apartment, 333 Ascot Vale Road, Moonee Ponds, VIC.

Accord Property Group have brought together internationally recognised architectural firm Peddle Thorp and Darren in a residential development they say sets a new benchmark for living in Melbourne’s inner north. Luxury inclusions and communal spaces have been set as the norm across every aspect of MoPo’s 11 levels of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. The development also features a striking, hotel-like lobby, rooftop terrace and enclosed sky lounge.

Development manager Anthony Ongarello says: “Darren’s involvement has generated significant momentum for this project. As a developer, we welcome the challenge to bring a diverse and considered offering to the market. We’ve stepped it up by engaging a world class architectural firm in Peddle Thorp. The floor plans have been created to appeal to an owner-occupier. It’s a building that people want to live in and Peddle Thorp have gone over and above to deliver exactly that.”

As part of Moonee Valley Council’s requirements, respected street artist STABS has been commissioned to create a mural to activate the front façade of the building.

One-bedrooms from $335,000, two-bedrooms from $570,000 and three bedrooms from $675,000. For more information.

 

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Interiors Addict

The breathtaking winning homes from the 2014 Houses Awards

The Australian House of the Year by Peter Stutchbury. Photo: Michael Nicholson

A hidden hilltop retreat, a new home that engages with its heritage context using imaginative brickwork, and a multi-residential apartment complex centred on community and self-sufficiency, were among the winners of this year’s Houses Awards, an annual celebration of Australia’s best residential design.

The Australian House of the Year by Peter Stutchbury. Photo: Michael Nicholson
The Australian House of the Year by Peter Stutchbury. Photo: Michael Nicholson

There were winners in eight categories, with one project receiving the premier accolade of Australian House of the Year. For the first time ever, all states were represented in the shortlist.

The Invisible House. Photo: Michael Nicholson
The Invisible House. Photo: Michael Nicholson

A sight to behold, the Invisible House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture was named Australian House of the Year. The judges said: “There is something absolutely Australian about this project, not just its connection to an undeniably spectacular setting, but also its modesty, clarity, resourcefulness and consequential delight. Being (another) rural retreat with a jaw-dropping view, this project needed to convince the jury that all the moves made to create it are in harmony with its location, and that it is a great piece of architecture in its own right, and this it has.”

Inside the winning Invisible House. Photo: Michael Nicholson
Inside the winning Invisible House. Photo: Michael Nicholson

We think the category winners are all pretty amazing:

New House under 200 m²

Dogtrot House by Dunn and Hillam Architects NSW

Dogtrot House. Photo: Killan O'Sullivan
Dogtrot House. Photo: Killan O’Sullivan

New House over 200 m²

Invisible House by Peter Stutchbury Architecture NSW

House Alteration & Addition under 200 m²

Cabin 2 by Maddison Architects VIC

Cabin 2. Photo: Will Watt
Cabin 2. Photo: Will Watt

House Alteration & Addition over 200 m²

Skylight House by Andrew Burges Architects NSW

Skylight House. Photo: Peter Bennetts
Skylight House. Photo: Peter Bennetts

Apartment or Unit

Loft Apartment West Melbourne by Adrian Amore Architects VIC

Loft Apartment. Photo: Fraser Marsden
Loft Apartment. Photo: Fraser Marsden

House in a Heritage Context (joint winner)

Middle Park House by Jackson Clements Burrows VIC

Middle Park House. Photo: John Gollings
Middle Park House. Photo: John Gollings

and

Westgarth House by Kennedy Nolan VIC

Westgarth House. Photo: Derek Swalwell
Westgarth House. Photo: Derek Swalwell

Sustainability

The Commons by Breathe Architecture VIC

The Commons. Photo: Andrew Wuttke
The Commons. Photo: Andrew Wuttke

Outdoor

The Garden Project by Welsh + Major Architects NSW

The Gardens. Photo: Brett Boardman
The Garden Project. Photo: Brett Boardman

The jurors for 2014 were: Brian Donovan, principal, BVN Donovan Hill (QLD), Maggie Edmond, founding director, Edmond and Corrigan (VIC), William Smart, creative director, Smart Design Studio (NSW), Emma Williamson, co-founder, CODA (WA), and Katelin Butler, editor, Houses magazine (VIC). Architectural advice in the heritage category was provided by Peter Williams of Williams Boag Architects on behalf of the Heritage Council of Victoria.

 

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Designers Interviews

Bates Smart: where the designers are interior architects, not decorators

35 Spring Street display suite

Being one of the oldest architecture practices in the world, Bates Smart has a very impressive 162-year history! It’s safe to say they’re one of the most respected in Australia. With projects spanning from the Australian Embassy in Berlin, the Crown Towers Hotel at City of Dreams in Macau and the New Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne (which alone won a whopping 23 awards!), no project is too large.

35 Spring Street display suite
35 Spring Street display suite

Jeff Copolov is one man who knows this all too well. As Bates Smart’s interior design director, he leads a team of 45. Working at the firm for the last 20 years, he joined after a stint as a set designer at the ABC and Channel 9, before deciding interiors was the way he wanted to go.

Jeff Copolov
Jeff Copolov

Working across commercial, health, hospitality and residential, Jeff believes Bates Smart’s point of difference is their ability to fuse interior design with architecture: “In our office, we deliberately don’t have one floor with interior designers on it and one with architects,” explains Jeff. “In fact, we see that as a fundamental part of how we do our interiors; it’s a seamless process where interior designers are on the job from literally day one. They’re not decorators, they’re interior architects, first and foremost that’s really what they are.”

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Crown Towers Hotel, City of Dreams, Macau

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Crown Towers Hotel, City of Dreams, Macau

An acclaimed interior designer in his own right, Jeff took out the IDEA Gold Medal in 2013 and won IDEA Designer of the Year in 2010. And while he has worked on a myriad of projects (he normally overseas 20 at a time!), Jeff always finds his latest projects the most exciting. “I know it’s a corny line and everyone says that their latest projects are always the most interesting, but it’s true. It keeps your mind active and if you become jaded by it, you might as well give up.”

Currently working on such projects as a nursing home, a high-end multi-residential project called 35 Spring Street, Heston Blumenthal’s latest restaurant at The Crown and the new Club Stand for the Victoria Racing Club at Flemington, Jeff loves that design allows him to explore areas he previously knew little about. “The great beauty of working as an interior designer or architect is that you get a glimpse and an insight into the workings of a diverse range of organisations,” says Jeff. “I didn’t know much about nursing homes before, but now I know a lot more about the people, how it works, what the priorities are and what the health department is after.”

While Jeff does find it hard to name a favourite project, he does admit he’d be remiss not to mention the New Royal Children’s Hospital. “We produced a really outstanding product that changed the way people looked at hospitals,” explains Jeff. “We really looked at the recuperative benefits of natural healing through the introduction of the natural environment. So we brought in a lot of natural light, soft colours of the landscape and a lot of courtyards. As much as possible, we tried to bring in the benefits and healing processes of nature into the hospital and make it a nurturing and relaxing environment.”

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The New Royal Children’s Hospital

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The New Royal Children’s Hospital

Working on such large projects from the initial masterplans to the final soft furnishings, Jeff sees the high calibre of projects he gets to be a part of as the biggest benefit of working for Bates Smart. With a style that is contemporary, forward-looking and clear of any gimmicks, all of their work is of the highest quality, which is why Jeff believes they continue to win such exciting projects. “I think we also have a strong niche: a combination of architectural rigour, relentless attention to detail and producing interiors of lasting quality. I think our interiors feel significant, they have substance and depth and I think that speaks for itself.”

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Interiors Addict

Sydney Indesign: An exclusive experience for architects, design specifiers and their clients

Sydney Indesign (formerly known as Saturday in Design) is a boutique design experience in a league of its own and Interiors Addict is delighted to be a consumer media partner with Belle Magazine this year (15-17 August). It began over 10 years ago to create an event that allowed brands and suppliers to entertain architects and designers in their own space, with their own culture, in a design festival atmosphere.

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In 2013, the event has evolved into an immersive design festival that takes over the entire city. Sydney Indesign will showcase over 400 unique brands across 20,000 square metres, with thousands of architects, designers and creatives enjoying 40 unique locations over the course of a three-day program. Organisers Indesign Media Group have incorporated the best of the original Saturday in Design format, but redesigned it to allow better visitor permeation into showrooms and exhibition spaces, and introduced a centrally placed super studio, the Galleria. The result is an unprecedented, expanded program of creative collaborations, international guests, seminars, showrooms, networking events, installations, drinks, food, product launches and precincts.

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Interiors Addict

Palace, meets bazaar, meets Miss Havisham in this award-winning interior

Modern art, heirloom furniture and imported lighting all hover in style and time inside this brand new home which wants to be old. This project, by Molecule, won the residential decoration category of the Melbourne Design Awards.

Molecule Grong Grong Court

Molecule Grong Grong Court

The ground floor is a tale of two worlds. Cross the threshold and be transported, Alice in Wonderland style, to a choice of the salon (glamour/public) or the living room (family/private).
 “Part palace, part bazaar and part Miss Havisham’s house, the salon is a grand, luxurious room that takes seriously its ‘private hotel’ aspirations,” says architect Jarrod Haberfield, of Molecule. “A fabulous bar sits alongside lushly upholstered custom furniture and major contemporary artworks. The salon is about glamour, excitement and aspiration; its look is fun, strong and idiosyncratic.”


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Sydney architects bring the best of New York homewares home

It seems no sooner than I “discovered” Dunlin while searching for metallics for a magazine article, I started seeing them EVERYWHERE. A fabulous homewares secret does not stay secret for long in this industry! But I wanted to know more, and was delighted to find a lovely story behind Australia’s latest online offering.

Alexandra Bond and Nicholas Barber studied architecture at the University of Sydney and always dreamed of moving to New York, so they did. “It is such a wonderful city to live in as a designer,” says Nicholas. “It’s an old cliche but so true that you learn so much just walking around New York streets. We lived in New York for six years, during which time we started our own firm and designed a number of projects in New York City, Latin America and Australia. It was while we were working as architects in New York that the genesis for Dunlin emerged. We were working with wonderful firms, suppliers and craftspeople whose work we thought would really suit Australian style.”

So, less than a year ago, they started selling the best of New York to Australia, through their online store. “Dunlin really is informed by our design work and our design work is very much informed by Dunlin, they complement each really well. It’s amazing how quickly it has grown and we have loved every minute of it.”

US brands Matteo, West Third, Original BTC and Davey Lighting are all exclusive to Dunlin in Australia and the pair have loved seeing local architects and interior designers get excited by the range. “What has become a real joy has been seeing projects open where interior designers and architects have specified Dunlin pieces,” says Nicholas.

“When we were designing Australian projects we would always struggle to find great products locally. You could often find terrible quality items, or really expensive European pieces. We always felt that quality and value did not have to be mutually exclusive, and that there was a real opportunity for a collection that was of great quality, but accessibly priced,” says Nicholas.

A whole range of elements come together to form the Dunlin ‘look’. “Working and living in New York has certainly influenced us, especially building houses in Long Island and Manhattan. We are also very much driven by the quality of our products, we are always looking for pieces that have a real integrity, be it how they are made or from what they are made from. Finally, we look always for products where the process of high quality hand fabrication is still evident in the product. Matteo, for example, is stitched, cut and dyed for Dunlin in Los Angeles, so no two pieces will ever be the same.”

Rather than  trying to recreate their Tribeca home on moving back to Sydney, the couple have gone for the complete opposite, settling near the beach in Avalon on the Northern Beaches. They’re also renovating a terrace in Surry Hills which “needs a lot of love”. They continue to work as interior architects as well. They recently finished the Jekyll & Hyde restaurant in Sydney’s Darlinghurst and a new Lisa Ho store in Brisbane that opened last week.

“Being overseas actually made both Alix and I realise just how incredible Australian residential architecture is, it is practised here at such a high level. The interiors world is maturing as well,” says Nicholas, who thinks Australian interior designers are perhaps underrated. “There are some amazing talented designers and stylists here, they desire more opportunities than they are afforded. The local homewares world has also really changed for the better. Everyone seems far more focused on quality, integrity and the story of the pieces in their homes. I think this has been informed by what we have seen in fashion with heritage brands over the last few years, it’s a great and welcome change!”

A huge fan of New York myself (it’s about time I visited again), I am in love with everything for sale on Dunlin, and the $9.90 flat rate shipping rates a mention too.