Perched atop a hill with enviable waterfront views, Sydney home ‘Highcliff’ was originally built in 1904 but underwent an extensive renovation recently after it was purchased by Sean and Shelley Anderson in 2015. “The position of the house was stunning, but the existing building was quite traditional in its appearance and layout. I wanted a modern industrial aesthetic and something quite different from the house that we bought,” says Shelley of the stunning four-bedroom, three-bathroom home.
‘Highcliff’ was built in 1904
Architect Celia Carroll was employed to transform the home for the couple, but heritage restrictions meant preserving the existing footprint, roofline and beautiful street façade. “We retained the shell of the original house but dissolved the hall and the dysfunctional interior rooms to engage with the house’s dramatic siting and views to the north,” says Celia.
Lounge roomBathroom
The architect commenced the project by removing the many separate rooms of the existing downstairs level before adding an open-plan kitchen and rear wing addition complete with a dining and lounge that leads out to a picturesque deck and pool area.
The stunning view
Bringing the owners’ vision to life, the new addition features a large section of polished concrete floor, a cathedral ceiling with skylights and new exposed brick walls – perhaps one of the more notable aesthetic choices and one that was a ‘must-have’ for the owners. Off-white bricks and matching mortar certainly do imbue the new rooms with an extra layer of texture and cool.
The bricks are beautifully offset by minimalist floating joinery in the dining area
“The PGH Morada brick is a very robust material which suited the site with its sandstone outcrops and house positioned on the ridge. And it complements the brick house that has been on the site for over 100 years, but in a modern way,” says Celia. One of the exposed brick walls runs seamlessly along the interior of the rear extension out to the BBQ area, blurring the line between indoors and out.
BBQ
“We love it. The entire house was modernised internally but it’s the details, like the ladder to the loft space above one of the bedrooms, that make the design special to us,” says Shelley.
Located in a gritty inner-city Melbourne suburb, ‘Valiant House’ is a masculine-edged, contemporary transformation of an original workers’ cottage that befits its industrial heritage. “Many of these small workers’ cottages are being demolished in the surrounding streets to make way for townhouse developments and glitzy apartment buildings but we wanted to preserve the history of the original house,” says the home’s owner and architect Anna Rozen from A for Architecture who lives in it with her partner, two children and the family dog.
Dining, kitchen & living
The original home was a traditional, small, unrenovated cottage with minimal windows and zero outlook but with an expanding family, Anna was hesitant to leave the inner-city for something more suitable and decided to renovate instead. “My partner and I both worked within walking distance of the house and childcare and school were also in walking distance. We didn’t want to move further out to the ‘burbs to establish our family home so we set about designing a family home that would suit the needs of our growing family but that was set on a small footprint,” says Anna.
BathroomSkylights fill the rear extension with natural light
The total site area is 180 square metres and the block is long and narrow – at just six metres wide and 30 metres long Anna’s central challenge was fitting in all of the requirements of a family home. “The main factors we considered were creating a sense of space on a small block, maximising the connection between the garden and the living spaces, allowing the kids their own space to make mess that was separate from the main living space and incorporating a home office. All of this aside, my main objective was allowing the mess and clutter of everyday family living to be hidden. Every inch of the house needed to be considered and functional,” says Anna.
Unlike the original home, the new design connects directly with the rear garden
Testament to her commitment to maintaining as many of the home’s original features as possible, the original boundary brick walls were retained complete with old glue, cracks and nails. “They were given a fresh coat of paint. The painted chevrons playfully allow a glimpse to the old bricks below and the shapes of the chevron reference the pitched roof forms of the house,” says Anna.
Original boundary walls are a feature in the lounge room
The standout area of the home is perhaps the kitchen and living area; a centralised timber box. “While the front portion of the original house containing two bedrooms was retained, the back of the house was re-imagined into one large open volume that stretches the full width of the site. The services of the house – bathroom, laundry and kitchen – have all been located within a timber-clad box in the centre of the plan. The timber box conceals the family bathroom, a laundry and an appliance cupboard, pantry and fridge. Hidden doors within the box can be ‘opened’ while the house is in use, or ‘closed’ to hide the clutter behind,” says Anna. Genius!
The kitchen appliances are cleverly hidden behind stylish cabinetry
And Anna is rightfully proud of how her clever design ideas tackled the challenges of small-footprint living. “We designed the house to our specific needs – not with a real estate agent or resale in mind. The house is on a small footprint, but due to the considered planning of every nook and cranny it’s more than enough space for us. We’ve been able to turn an inherently dark housing typology with a south-facing garden into a light-filled, spacious house fit for a family of four and their dog.”
Study
Valiant House will be open to view as part of the upcoming Open House Melbourne 2019 Weekend that is taking place on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July.
With just 33 square metres to work with, architect Jack Chen has maximised every last centimetre of this 1970’s Melbourne apartment through a very clever renovation. And while small, Jack’s apartment really packs it in – it features a four-metre-long kitchen, wine store, sunlit window seat, green house and home studio area too!
Entry & lounge room
“I was renting in the unit below for over a year and this project came about to fix all the awkwardness I was experiencing while renting which included a tiny kitchen, a lack of sufficient daylight and lack of working space. This renovation addressed all of this and hopefully a bit more, and I now have a feeling of comfort and a place I can unwind in at the end of the day,” says Jack who lives and runs his architectural business Tsai Design from the apartment too.
Jack’s apartment features a four-metre-long kitchen
Working within the constraints of the original floor plan, the modest budget was poured into creating floor-to-ceiling, multifunctional cabinetry and wall systems created by a cabinetmaker that specialises in high-end hotels.
The apartment features a slide-out dining tableThree prototyped versions of the fold-down dining table were created to determine the best solution
The largest multi-tasking zone is the lounge room has been cleverly designed to transform easily from tv room to home office. Clever joinery hides a tv, flip-out desk, computers and filing area.
Lounge room modeOffice mode
And with its statement green wall and privacy film wall between it and the kitchen, the bathroom is a highlight of the home. “As the apartment has no outdoor space, I wanted to create an environment that gives the outdoor vibe, hence the full height green wall, various planting, and timber texture porcelain tile in the shower that creates an outdoor shower experience,” says Jack.
The view from the kitchen to the bathroom with the privacy screen off
“The green wall is made of preserved moss so there’s no maintenance required. It comes on cork backing in a 30-centimetre x 30-centimetre tile format,” says Jack.
A simple press of a button turns the the privacy screen on
The privacy screen between the kitchen and bathroom is the only change that Jack made to the existing walls – the opening was created to let in the northern light from the bathroom to kitchen. “It is a standard glass fixed window, with a privacy film on top of it. When activated the film goes from transparent to frosted to achieve privacy when required, and allows for a clear view of the green wall and daylight the rest of the time. Activation is by simple press of the remote,” says Jack.
Bedroom
And while Jack is proud of the overall transformation, he does concede that small living is perhaps not for everyone. “It is very easy to clutter up a small space, so you have to choose each furniture item carefully. But it’s important to have your personal items around too so the hardest thing is to strike the perfect balance.”
Smart multipurpose storage at the entry houses a helmet, shoes, wine rack and even an umbrella stand
Jack’s apartment will be open to view as part of the upcoming Open House Melbourne 2019 Weekend that is taking place on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July.
Perforated screens conceal under-stair storage in the kitchen
Nestled in inner bayside Melbourne, this recently renovated Victorian cottage now features a discreet double level extension at the rear and lots of clever joinery and small-space design solutions befitting its petite size.
“This little single fronted home was bursting at the seams and in much need of an overhaul and complete reconfiguration. Our brief was simply to create a family home that was adaptable in the long term, suitable for entertaining and had flexible zones that are linked or can be closed off if required,” says the home’s architect Donna Brzezinski of BG Architecture.
Lounge: Built-in joinery makes fabulous use of space throughout the home
The fairly significant renovation maintained one principal room at the front of the original house and reconfigured the existing shell to accommodate a bathroom, study and living room. “A central courtyard marks the extent of the original cottage with an operable glazed walkway that links a cosy living zone to the main family and kitchen zone,” says Donna. Plenty of built-in storage and the airiness of perforated metal contribute to the feeling of space in what is a relatively small family home.
A central courtyard connects the old and new parts of the home
Home to a professional chef, it’s unsurprising that one of the most impressive parts of the home is the kitchen. The stainless steel island was designed with intimate cooking demonstrations in mind and the staircase houses concealed storage adorned with stylish, perforated custom metal screens.
Kitchen & diningPerforated screens conceal extra storage under the stairs in the kitchen
Dotted around the home is an interesting mix of furniture and artwork collected on the owners’ travels. ”The home has a wonderful personality reflective of a client who embraces bold colour and it’s complemented by an eclectic art collection from around the globe,” says Donna.
Built-in cupboards make efficient use of space in the study
The other notable aspect of the home is the way in which the architect has captured as much natural light as possible (never easy in a terrace), while maintaining privacy in what is a built-up urban location.
Glass bricks let light in and look surprisingly modern from the outside of the home
“With a zero setback from the laneway, privacy within this home is paramount and pivotal to the application of refracted light sources from within the property and from the upper level. A strip of glass bricks captures diffused light in the kitchen and laundry zone with the upper level master suite masked by a perforated steel gable,” says Donna.
A perforated steel gable provides privacy to the upper level, while allowing light in
“I’m proud of the way we managed to achieve so many lovely light-filled spaces within such a small urban footprint. As always, it makes us proud when we have a happy client who loves coming home every day and has a home that is uniquely their own.”
Bathroom
Photography: Michelle Williams | Styling: Merinda Garrett
Built in the early 1900’s and located in Sydney’s Kirribilli with sweeping harbour views, this federation home was renovated recently, and the result is unique, contemporary and light-filled whilst remaining sympathetic to the home’s heritage – certainly no mean feat!
The rear of the home
Located on a sloping site in a heritage conservation area (where restrictions apply to both the front and rear of the building) the project’s architect Melonie Bayl-Smith of Bijl Architecture really had her work cut out for her. Not only did the home’s owners want a total overhaul of the existing house, while retaining its traditional, federation-style character, but they wanted a new family-friendly extension too.
“My clients asked that the materiality of the building fit with the idea of honouring the past with a ‘new tradition.’ Hence bricks very quickly became both ours and the clients’ first choice for the design,” says Melonie referencing the PGH Bricks dry pressed architectural bricks in ‘Black Beauty’ that were crucial to the renovation.
The front of the home
“Charged with the double duty of meeting the strict requirements of the Kirribilli conservation area while also complementing its semi-detached neighbour Doorzien House, which we renovated in 2017, a ‘masonry aesthetic’ was the ultimate solution. Not only does this allow it to form its own identity and provide continuity with the original dwelling, it also fits with the industrial, dark zinc cladding of its neighbour,” says Melonie. The brick solution also resulted in an aesthetic that disrupts the bland look of nearby rear additions.
To the right stands the neighbouring terrace that was also designed by Melonie
“Moreover, the dry pressed range has a clean, sharp edge that allowed the brick units to resonate both at an individual level as the light falls on their smooth surface, and also as an impressive composition of both uninterrupted walls and columns framing the windows and doors. We used the same brick on a project several years ago, so knew it would look excellent with the black oxide mortar,” says Melonie.
The upstairs rear of the home now boasts stunning harbour views
Bridging old with new, exposing the home’s original bricks formed part of the new design too. The home’s existing brick arches were restored and the team at Bijl also exposed the multi-coloured traditional bricks that divide the two semi-detached properties, on the lower ground floor.
Old bricks combine with new
And unlike the original home, the new extension also takes full advantage of those magnificent Sydney Harbour views while opening up the lower ground floor to fully connect with the garden.
Retaining the existing front curved section of the home, this inner-Melbourne family house underwent a full renovation and extension recently courtesy of a wonderfully synergistic collaboration between an architect and interior designer.
Front elevation
“Our clients were captivated by this unique home when they were looking to move closer to family – with a curved ceiling line and complementary curved wall of floor to ceiling glass it was unlike anything they imagined they would fall in love with! But those curves had so much potential and with clever space planning and the addition of a second storey they were able to realise their dream of creating a unique light-filled, contemporary and elegant four-bedroom family home,” says the home’s interior designer Sarah Elshaug of Maitland Street Interiors who worked on the project alongside architect Vicky Cutler of V Three Architecture.
Powder room
Home to a young family of four and located in the leafy inner-Melbourne suburb of Malvern, the home was renovated with a couple of key elements in mind – minimalism, elegance, a touch of fun and easy functionality for family living.
Lounge
“Firstly, we changed the layout to include three to four bedrooms and a more open plan living, kitchen and dining area. We added a new formal entry to the side of the house which gave more space to the existing living room and we added a curved screen to the first floor deck that not only provides privacy but also is a nod to the original curved design,” says Vicky.
Kitchen
“The stunning kitchen features an Elba marble waterfall island bench and splash back and the palette is crisp and elegant yet understated,” says Sarah.
The dining room features Fizi pendant lights
The home’s curves are echoed in the Fizi lights that feature throughout and were sourced from Articolo Lighting. “Fizi pendants with fine brass rods are suspended over the dining table, curated in an elongated grouped formation of two sets of three to work in harmony with the curved ceiling, accentuate the dining zone and add wow factor,” says Sarah.
Bar
With its custom mural by artist Leah Bartholomew, the upstairs rumpus room is a highlight of the home. “This room needed to grow with the children, so it had to not only captivate them as toddlers but become a loved retreat for them as teenagers. Leah’s work is full of colour, fun and nature and brings a serene feel to a space that could otherwise feel too much like a functional kids’ zone. I’m pretty sure the adults of the house will also enjoy relaxing there,” says Sarah.
Rumpus room
A built-in window seat (with handy storage drawers concealed underneath) plus mini furniture by Green Cathedral and beanbags by Baud & Co finish the space. “They were selected in colours to complement the fruit, fauna and blue wren taking pride of place on Leah’s wall. The little wren will be watching over the children’s adventures as they play and explore in the room with family and friends in the years to come,” says Sarah.
Child’s bedroom
The master bedroom features a Heatherly Design custom upholstered bedhead and base, layered bed linen from Cultiver, an original artwork by Jewels Stevens and floating oak side tables with a hidden drawer. “And of course, the Lumi wall lights in smoked glass, again by Articolo, were the perfect complement to the elegance and tranquillity of the space,” says Sarah.
Master bedroom
The ensuite features brushed gunmetal Scala tap ware from Sussex taps, a geometric Perini tile, white Corian bench top and sinks, white cabinetry and a full wall of glass that overlooks a beautiful fern garden from the shower.
Ensuite
Architecture: V Three Architecture | Interior decoration & styling: Maitland Street Interiors | Builder: Sinjen | Photography: Stephanie Rooney
After a decade of building homes for other people, Andrew Gray of Graya Construction built his own forever home high on a hill in the inner Brisbane suburb of Paddington recently and it’s a beauty. While resale was considered, the tri-level home is anything but ordinary with neutral feature brick, timber, concrete and natural stone combining for a relaxed, urban vacation vibe.
The home features a three-story chimney. Photo: Cathy Shusler
“We wanted our home to feel like a haven. We went with a light colour palette, something that was neutral and more coastal, so we could get a holiday feel. The light tones of the brick and how we’ve used it throughout the house has brought that sense of lightness, airiness and relaxation,” says Andrew.
Kitchen and living. Photo: Cathy Shusler
Originally a run-down Queenslander, the front of the home was restored as part of the renovation process and the new extension at the back seamlessly blends the old with the new. Interestingly, exposed brick plays an important part in the renovation and it was a choice driven by the Queensland climate more than aesthetics.
The restored Queenslander from the front. Photo: Mindi CookeThe home boasts Brisbane city views. Photo: Cathy Shusler
“We decided to use brick pretty early on in the piece as a core part of our home’s design because of the climate in Queensland. What we didn’t realise is that it also opens up opportunities design-wise, because there are so many varieties of brick that you can use in different ways. I think when a lot of people think about brick, they imagine the traditional red, old style, but with so many design options available now for brick we really felt that if we could use it in the right way, it could be completely timeless,” says Andrew.
A wine rack makes a statement in the living room. Photo: Cathy ShuslerThe master bathroom features emerald green marble. Photo: Mindi Cooke
Sourced from PGH Bricks, the same style of brick is used throughout the home including the inside walls and floors – an emerging design trend. The technique helps to create the illusion of endless space where the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors are blurred.
Larissa Gray in the master bedroom. Photo: Mindi CookeMaster bathroom. Photo: Cathy Shusler
Brick also stars in one of the home’s most notable features – a three-storey, minimalist brick chimney that stretches from the bottom to the top of one side of the house. “One of my favourite features in our home is our three-storey brick chimney. Combining the intrinsically traditional nature of brick with such a cool modern feature meant that we could create a really unique and trendy feature for our home that will never aesthetically date. I believe that’s what made brick the perfect material for our forever home,” says Andrew.
Pool and alfresco fireplace. Photo: Mindi Cooke
Bricks were used in a relatively unusual, bespoke way too after Andrew gave them to his tiler to cut up and turn into tiles for the entry pathway and walkway. “We carried these same bricks into our feature walls to create cohesion, which turned out great. If you think outside the box, there’s some really cool design elements that you can create with such a simple and reliable material. It’s the best of both worlds for us,” says Andrew.
Larissa and Andrew Gray at the entry to their home. Note the unusual brick work on the ground. Photo: Mindi Cooke
And while the home is fairly neutral, there are some statement areas of colour including the master ensuite with is emerald green marble and the powder room and its red marble. “It’s in the smaller rooms where those elements have a bigger impact, and it means the whole house isn’t screaming at us. Our design choices were guided by the fact that we’re looking at being here for at least ten years, so we restricted ourselves from anything too bold structurally, keeping it more neutral, and instead got creative with the more decorative elements.”
The shortlisted projects were a stellar bunch so we’ve no doubt the judges had a hard time choosing the winners for the 2019 Australian Interior Design Awards recently. And this certainly seems to be the case for the ‘Residential Design’ award which was handed down to joint winners – ‘Oak House’ by Kennedy Nolan and ‘Edsall Street’ by RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN.
Kennedy Nolan’s winning ‘Oak House’ project
Both projects were celebrated for managing an exceptional and seamless balance between inside and out as well as for their cohesive material application and compelling use of colour. The jury also praised the bespoke and very individual nature of the projects, both of which are located in Victoria.
Kennedy Nolan’s winning ‘Oak House’ project
“Both residences very much feel like they’ve been designed specifically for the people who live in them and exemplify the way in which designers are currently personalising spaces. Not only are they meeting the brief, but they’re taking design to the next level by making it appear unabashedly personal,” says the jury.
While Kennedy Nolan’s ‘Caroline House’ project has already won a couple of awards, this time it was their ‘Oak House’ project that made the jury take notice – specifically for its use of primary colour. “Internally, a distinct architectural sensibility is evident, and everything appears sculptural as a result, while the textural material palette and exquisite detailing highlight the lushness of the interior design. And to cap it all off, there’s a timeless appeal to this project that makes it hard to ignore,” says the jury.
The other joint winner of the ‘Residential Design’ award, RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN’s ‘Edsall Street’ project, was celebrated for its mature restraint and calm and welcoming feel.
“It’s an exquisitely resolved interior with a sense of simplicity and understated yet timeless material execution that highlights the space’s beautiful lines and light. A project this restrained is always in danger of appearing to lack in some way, but Edsall Street’s interior feels complete and has so much breathing space,” says the jury who also praised the project for the proportions of its interior spaces.
RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN’s ‘Edsall Street’ project. Photography: Tom Blachford
“From ceiling heights to the width of each room, everything feels well considered, inviting and finely detailed. This degree of minimalism is difficult to achieve formally and to actually pull it off is not to be underestimated. For one jury member, this home is a dream house,” says the jury.
RITZ&GHOUGASSIAN’s ‘Edsall Street’ project. Photography: Tom BlachfordRITZ&GHOUGASSIAN’s ‘Edsall Street’ project. Photography: Tom Blachford
Arent & Pyke’s ‘Under the Tree’ project won the ‘Best Residential Interior’ award. Photography: Anson Smart
“This project is a unique expression of the client, not to mention an outstanding study in styling and decoration. Every corner of every room displays a layering of lush colours and textures and the connection to the garden and natural light is what makes the interior so striking. The jury was impressed by the scheme’s quiet restraint on one hand and dramatic choices on the other, all of which have been carefully balanced.”
Arent & Pyke’s ‘Under the Tree’ project. Photography: Anson Smart
Designed to take full of advantage of its spectacular location, this holiday home is comprised of a progression of pavilions and courtyards that extend from the street to the beach. A celebration of indoor/outdoor living, the home was designed by Adam Taliano of Architecture Saville Isaacs and features a mix of raw, natural and robust materials that complement its enviable Avoca Beach location.
The front of the homeLounge room
“The house is a close to the beach as you can get. It’s designed to maximise the spectacular beachfront location with a variety of indoor and outdoor rooms in which to experience different aspects of beachside living,” says Adam Taliano. Timber, stone and layers of neutral soft furnishings help to soften the large swathes of feature concrete that were used to construct the home.
Kitchen
While the home has multiple rooms and many communal spaces, Adam was tasked with making them as flexible as possible to maximise the utility of the home. “The owners wanted to create a beachfront holiday home to accommodate a small family that is also flexible so as to accommodate multiple guest configurations, varying levels of privacy, scale and interaction whilst maximising physical connection and views to the beach,” says Adam.
BedroomBathroom
One of the highlights of the home is the sandy courtyard that sits between two of its pavilions – there is a firepit in the middle that acts as a fabulous communal space and is no doubt a great place to congregate on a cool evening. “The central courtyard is filled with sand and a firepit is at the centre of the entire house – these courtyard and pavilions are truly unique and allow for the perfect beachfront lifestyle,” says Adam.
A fire pit sits at the centre of the home
Designed to take in the coastal breezes, a series of louvres also help to connect the spaces. “There is a casual separation of rooms and functions, that create a sense of relaxation throughout,” says Adam.
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
“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.
North Curl Curl Residence by Andrew Donaldson Architecture and Design. Photography: Barton TaylorThe 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 Architect. Photography: Andy MacphersonCove 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 Wolfendale Interior Design. Photography: Shannon McGrathKew 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 Architecture. Photography: Murray FredericksCrescent 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 ClarkeBrighton 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 Architect. Photography: Lisa CohenCanopy House by Leeton Pointon. Photography: Lisa Cohen
Located in the inner-Sydney suburb of Lavender Bay, these two homes were originally supposed to be one large house before the owners decided to change the brief. “As the project progressed, the brief was adjusted for two houses – one house for the client to live and eventually retire in while the other was to be put on the market,” says Adam Taliano of Architecture Saville Isaacs, the firm responsible for the project.
Sitting atop a heritage listed sandstone wall, both homes offer sparkling, iconic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, CBD and Lavender Bay and feature high-quality finishes and detailing befitting the location.
What a view!
“The client wanted two spacious homes with an understated, crisp aesthetic and the interiors to follow from the architecture. They wanted to maximise views and for us to pay special attention to the homes’ detail, quality, inclusions, storage and functionality,” says Adam who designed the project’s interiors in collaboration with Linda Morrice.
The houses are layered vertically and each has four storeys with the main living areas located on the top floors. “Each top floor living zone focusses forward to the spectacular iconic views, whilst connecting to intimate, sunny rear gardens,” says Adam.
The two houses as seen from the streetBoth homes feature private rear gardens
Featuring a curved end and a straight one, it’s the curved side of the building that houses a spectacular spiral staircase. “The curved end responds to the shape of the site, housing a four storey recycled brick volume through which spirals a free-standing steel plate and stone stair. Natural light plays across curved brick. The spiral stair case and four storey void is a very rare and unique space to have in a home,” says Adam of the space that also features a cascading chandelier.
The sculptural spiral staircase is an impressive four storeys highLounge room
The home’s modern interiors take their cues from the project’s external materials such as off-form concrete, steel plate and painted recycled brick. “Light, natural and artificial, sculpts the space accentuating the textural qualities of the materials. Brass is used as a highlight, adding depth and contrast – handrails, shadow lines, door handles and light fittings are either polished, brushed, knurled or patinated,” says Adam.
Dining roomBathroom
When pressed to choose his favourite part of the project, unsurprisingly it’s the views that receive special mention. “I love the framing and sequencing of the iconic views as you move through the houses at key moments.”
With its origins in sustainability and the simple living movement, the tiny house trend has been bubbling along for a while now and this latest one, located in the Blue Mountains just outside of Sydney, is a real treat. Sitting on 16 acres, the house is only 2.5 metres wide but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in ingenuity.
The house sits on a block that became available as a result of the bushfires that ravaged the area a few years ago. “The block came up for sale after the previous owner decided it was time for them to move on. After their house burnt down in bushfires, they weren’t in a position to rebuild,” says one of the home’s owners Lisa Tranter who shares it with her partner Matt Hobbs.
The view from the compact kitchen looking up to one of the loft bedrooms. The stairs are storage compartments too. Clever!Kitchen
But if you’re anything like me you’re probably wondering why you would build a tiny house when you’ve got all that space (literally 16 acres!) but Lisa explains it’s an issue of ethics. “Living relatively minimally makes you think about what you actually need versus what you want on a day-to-day basis. We don’t need much, the need for a big house goes against our ethics and the idea of living sustainably and minimally. Also, there really is only about an acre of land that is usable as the rest is dense bush and cliff,” says Lisa.
Main bedroom
Initially inspired by the tiny house movement in the US, Lisa soon became obsessed with the idea and often found herself falling down the ‘tiny house’ social media rabbit hole for hours on end. “When Matt and I met, I spoke about tiny houses virtually non-stop, talking about ideas, companies already building and ways for me to get one. He started looking into them as well and as our relationship progressed, he thought it would be a good challenge,” says Lisa. Rather conveniently, Matt is a plumber by trade and runs his own bathroom and kitchen renovation business, Hobbs Bathroom Co, and thus built much of the home himself.
Matt and Lisa in their bedroom
“We did most of the work ourselves, calling in favours from friends and family with tradie backgrounds to help when needed which definitely kept the cost down for us,” says Lisa of the home that was initially built on wheels with a view to be able to move it around in future. “The house is on wheels because we had planned to be able to move it however as we own the land and don’t intend on going anywhere any time soon, that’s kind of been made redundant. It’s still an option though should we decide to move,” says Lisa.
Bathroom
The multi-level property boasts 22 square metres of space on the ground floor coupled with approximately 10 metres in loft space and features two bedrooms, a kitchen, lounge room and full-size bathroom complete with double showers which is rather impressive for such a small footprint.
Double shower
The other most notable feature is the cat run that is attached to the back of the property. “The idea for the cat run came about due to the bush surrounds. We didn’t want the cats to kill anything they shouldn’t like birds, frogs and lizards. Likewise, we wanted them to be safe, especially in summer when the snakes are active. And that’s not to mention the problems of kitty litter in a confined space,” says Lisa of her rescue cats.
Cat run
And while the home is utilitarian it doesn’t suffer in a design sense with plenty of lovely details including a lounge room ceiling feature. “The light feature above the couch is made from recycled construction steel, vintage style bulbs, a few fairly lights and some fake plants. Matt and I have the ability to kill even the hardiest of plants, so we went for the fake ones for ease of care,” says Lisa
Lounge room
Unsurprisingly, the house has received a flurry of interest globally since YouTube creator Bryce Langston, of Living Big in a Tiny House travelled to Sydney to film the home on wheels – his video is now trending on YouTube and has been watched almost 13 million times!
The inner-city Australian terrace renovation is well-trodden ground but the latest project from Austin Maynard Architects puts a playful, imaginative spin on it what it means to transform a dark, narrow and poorly ventilated house for modern living. With a hidden cellar, secret garden and hidden room in the roof, the project is practical, original and fun.
The original terrace and rear extension as seen from the street
Located in the Melbourne suburb of North Fitzroy, the owners of the house decided to renovate in late 2014 with particular focus on the living space. “They wanted an entertaining zone that avoided the embarrassment of having to lead guests down a dark corridor, past bedrooms, a bathroom and through a dim, cluttered study. They shared the house with their teenage son and wanted to have somewhere self-contained that was fun for him to live,” says the project’s architect Mark Austin.
Kitchen
Originally from Scotland and England, the owners often have family stay for long periods which meant adaptable spaces and privacy were a chief renovating concern too.
Lounge and rear garden
Sporting an original mid 1980’s extension (a typical, long rectangular addition stuck on the back), the rooms were completely internalised, the floor plan convoluted, and fresh air was in short supply. “The old addition stretched to the boundary, with light sourced from thermally weak polycarbonate skylights. The 1980’s renovation failed to solve the big problem terrace houses suffer from – an entry way filled with junk, dark corridors past private bedrooms and windowless walk-through living zones,” says Mark.
The new extension’s roofline is reminiscent of a corrugated cardboard architectural model
“In these instances, the challenges are always the same. How do you adapt the old layout to modern living? How do you get light and air into the home and make it sustainable? How can you make all this work within the spatial constraints of a terrace house on a long thin block? And, most importantly, how do you create a home full of joy, delight and warmth?” says Mark.
The parents’ bedroomThe parents’ retreat
The clever result ultimately reduced the original footprint but created more garden and natural light, plus easier access with the front door moved to the side laneway. “By stripping the 1980’s extension, eight metres of brick wall was exposed and the character and history of an old sailing boat mural was discovered and celebrated. Our aim of creating vibrant architecture is never at the expense of heritage,” says Mark who separated the old home and new extension with a courtyard which brings light and air into both spaces.
The hidden internal courtyard
One of the home’s most creative design solutions is the addition of a cellar in the kitchen, that sits under a sliding island bench. “Like a train carriage, the storage section of the island bench rolls along tracks to extend the bench when the cellar is not in use or nestles beneath when access is required. The cellar is completely hidden and secret, unless you are actually using it,” says Mark.
Hidden wine cellarThe wine cellar is accessible via a movable island bench
“In the old part of the house the teenager’s bedroom took advantage of the high ceiling with a suspended platform bed space and a lounging net. Above the bed a hatch leads up to a secret ply-lined roof space, a whole secret room his parents will likely never visit. Exactly what every young teenager needs or is it?!” says Mark.
Teenage retreat
The parents’ light-filled retreat is located upstairs in the new part of the home with a bedroom at one side, a lounging area with mezzanine reading platform at the other and a bathroom in the centre. “Should needs change, or to maximise resale, the retreat can easily become two bedrooms and a bathroom with the use of strategically placed partitions,” says Mark.
Bathroom
“For the past 15 years, Austin Maynard Architects have been successfully battling issues of inner city living and the regeneration of ageing building stock. We’ve learned how to deal with dark terraces with bad circulation and gained the experience and skills to address the challenges.”
With its chic retro vibe and faded luxe colour scheme, Brisbane’s new Calile Hotel is arguably one of Australia’s most Instagrammed spaces – its stylish mix of brass, cork, concrete and sophisticated pastel hues proving difficult to resist for the design savvy.
The lobby bar
“The pool is the focal point of the hotel, with the rooms wrapping around its raised podium, and Hellenika restaurant tucked neatly alongside,” says Ingrid Richards, co-director of Richards and Spence, the architects responsible for the brand-new build that has been described as an ‘urban resort’ and looks to locations rather than specific design periods for inspiration.
The pool
“We resisted the nostalgic reference to styles, instead we looked at other cities for precedence. We wanted to establish a civic vernacular that celebrates our own unique hot weather and outdoor lifestyle. In Brisbane, it is a mistake to reference cities like New York, London and Melbourne, rather we looked to other hot weather cities with a resort focus to inform our design – Miami, Palm Springs, Rio De Janeiro and Mexico City,” says Ingrid’s co-director Adrian Spence.
Measuring 27 metres by 8 metres, the pool is lined with light green stone tiles
“For Richards and Spence, embracing our climate and tropical surrounds became the foundation to create what is Australia’s first urban resort. In our opinion there is no other city-based Australian hotel conceived as a resort. City-based hotels in our country are pitched to the corporate market, focussed on the conference, rather than on the pool and the hotel’s surrounds. The Calile has changed that,” says Ingrid.
Guest room
“The pool area, with its associated outdoor dining cabanas and sun lounges has been key to creating that feel. As are the external naturally ventilated corridors and lift lobbies with ceiling fans and planters,” says Adrian who explains that operable windows and balconies continue the resort theme in the rooms.
Guest bathroomGuest bathroom
“Our climate allows us to live outdoors most of the year. The naturally ventilated rooms allow guests to share our unique outdoor lifestyle, again reinforcing a sense of place that is uniquely Brisbane. Who wants to be in a conference room all day then go to a hotel room that is locked up and air conditioned? We live outside all the time in Brisbane, so why not do so in a hotel room if you can? Many rooms open onto a generous scallop-edged balcony,” says Ingrid.
The hotel’s brutalist exterior
Externally, there is enthusiastic use of white bricks – 270,000 to be exact. “White bricks form archways at the ground, and facades at high level and continue inside to maintain an outdoorsy vibe. Bricks endure over time physically and stylistically,” says Adrian. Breeze blocks were used too, for both design and ventilation qualities. “Again, we collectively associate breeze blocks with hot weather places which reinforces a sense of place,” says Adrian.
Guest room with city view – note the cork clad wallsGuest room
And as for the gorgeous interiors, they are comprised of a mix of cork lined rooms, luxurious brass and marble and a pastel palette that runs from terracotta to sage, peach and sea green. “It is a deliberately restrained palette, designed to endure over time,” says Ingrid.
The rooftop has enviable views across to the Sydney CBD
“The ambition for Cleveland Rooftop was to realise a garden that you happened to live in, rather than just an apartment surrounded by greenery,” says the project’s principal architect Adam Haddow, director of SJB. “This small piece of landscape in the sky is a reprieve from the bustling city lifestyle and adds to the network of inner-city green spaces creating an oasis for indigenous birds and insects of the city,” he adds, of the sprawling garden that boasts enviable views over the Sydney CBD from its Redfern location.
The rooftop has an enviable viewThe glorious rooftop garden
A rooftop addition to the original Demco Machinery building on Cleveland Street, the three-bedroom apartment spans between two original rooftop elements and comes complete with its own private native garden making it a true urban oasis. And testament to how unique the project is, it recently took out the ‘Large Apartment of the Year’ category in the second edition of the prestigious global interior architecture design Frame Awards. With over 1,000 submissions from across the globe, it is quite a coup for SJB.
Dining and loungeThe kitchen as seen from the outdoorsThe striking kitchen cabinetry is painted in Dulux Gully Green
According to the awards organisers, the winning entries are examples of “the outstanding and sometimes illuminatingly unexpected qualities that make up the future of spatial design.” Given the project is a fabulous example of how architecture and landscape can work harmoniously to enhance biodiversity in the inner city, it’s no surprise that SJB came out on top. In contrast to the adjacent communal garden, the home’s private garden is predominantly native, creating an oasis for native fauna.
Study
Garden aside, the connection to the outdoors continues inside with a number of skylights that light up the entry lobby, bathrooms and internal corridor. There’s also a deep cut within the living space that brings the outside in.
BathroomOutdoor bath
The Frame Award is the fourth major award recognition for Cleveland Rooftop which also won the 2018 Architizer A+ Award for Residential Apartment, 2017 Best Design Awards for Residential Repurposed Spaces and 2017 INSIDE World Festival of Interiors category for Residential.
“With curtains for walls and a compact plan, our 4.5 metre radius shack was an attempt at building a vertical hard tent rather than a holiday home,” says Austin Maynard Architects’ Andrew Maynard of the firm’s latest, highly original project that is nestled in wild bush and rugged sand dunes on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula at St Andrew’s Beach.
“Australians have some of the biggest houses in the world and holiday houses are increasingly becoming carbon copies of the suburban home. The owner of St Andrew’s Beach House recognised this. He challenged us to design him a ‘bach’ which is a New Zealand word used to describe a very modest, small and basic shack, or shed,” says Andrew of the home that is clad in sustainable timber designed to weather.
Kitchen and dining – I love the pops of green throughout the home
A sleepy spot with nothing much nearby save for a corner store and brewery, the home is serene and secluded and the beautiful coastline is within walking distance. “The owner was fortunate enough to own land abutting national parkland, close to the foreshore and directly within the sand dunes,” says Andrew.
Lounge room
And with no ‘front’ per se, the two storey home boasts views that extend in all directions. “The shape of the house grew from a response to the views and the simplification of the interior spaces – there are no corridors. Corridors and circulation space are, in our view, a waste. A corridor free home lends itself to a circular design,” says Andrew. The ground floor is comprised of a kitchen, living and dining, bathroom and laundry while the first floor houses the sleeping zone – access is granted via a forest green perforated metal spiral staircase that sits at the core.
A green perforated metal spiral staircase connects the two levelsStaircase detail
An interesting choice that gives maximum flexibility, the upstairs level is essentially one large bedroom zone separated by curtains. “Rather than design a series of sealed bedrooms, each with ensuite and walk-in-robe, the sleeping zone is informal, casual and relaxed, where floor space is the only limitation,” says Andrew.
The upstairs sleeping zones are separated by curtains
“An open deck area, within the tube, unites the spaces when the bi-fold doors are opened. Most Australians want a deck or veranda, instead of adding something to the outside, like that of the classic old Australian home, at St Andrew’s Beach House the deck has been eroded out of the form itself, creating a two story space that’s both outside and inside,” says Andrew.
Luxury developer GURNER has just revealed plans for its impending St Moritz development in Melbourne and if the first-look is anything to go by, it’s set to be rather phenomenal. With an average price point of roughly $3.5 million dollars, the St Kilda project is being designed by architect Fender Katsalidis (together with Koichi Takada Architects) alongside celebrated interior designer David Hicks with Jack Merlo on landscape duties.
The ridiculously high-end penthouse will have uninterrupted views of the bay
“We believe the luxury end of the market has been waiting for something like this to come along, with significant depth and demand for the right project offering the right level of luxury,” says GURNER founder and director Tim Gurner of the project that will occupy 14-16 The Esplanade, St Kilda. The first of the three buildings, Pacific House, is set to launch to the public in the middle of this year with 45 residences up for grabs at an average price point of $4 million dollars.
The penthouse’s expansive bathroom and bedroom
Reflecting the bespoke trend, the purchase price will include a full customisation package giving purchasers the ability to work directly with David Hicks and Tim Gurner to create their dream homes. Think bowling alleys, infra-red saunas and steam rooms, cigar rooms, poker rooms, art galleries, sound-proofed home offices and even recording studios. “Literally anything is possible at St Moritz,” says Tim.
Wine cellar and stairs
Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of the development is the creation of a $30 million dollar penthouse to sit atop the first building, Pacific House. Boasting 650 square metres of internal space together with a generous 175 square metre terrace, the penthouse will have six bedrooms, a seven-car private garage, direct lift access, four living rooms, an in-home sauna, gym and a show-stopping pool that will sit wedged between two levels of the home.
Look at that pool! The penthouse promises to be Australia’s most expensive.
“This penthouse has been designed to be the best in Australia and arguably one of the best in the world. We initially designed the penthouse with a floorplan of over 1,300sqm and an even bigger price tag however the early feedback we have received from our local and international clientele was that a penthouse of this size would be too big even for them,” says Tim.
Occupying a space somewhere between a home and hotel, the complex will also feature 5000 square metres of private amenities and permanent staff that will provide residents with personalised and discreet service. “We want our buyers to feel like every day is a holiday as they are spoilt in ultimate luxury by the precinct’s loyal staff and are surrounded by a setting that rivals the best hotel and resort experiences in the world,” says Tim. One Powerball??
The backyard is now the perfect entertainer's space
After a decade of living in this Melbourne character home, its owners Maria and Troy McGlone decided it was time to renovate to suit the demands of their growing family. The ultimate aim was to make the home more suitable during their kids’ teenage years and beyond and the result is a stunning architectural space that is truly a forever home.
BEFORE: Front of the homeAFTER: Front of the home. Quite the transformation!
“We knew we needed a larger living room, a bedroom each for the kids, a pool and a basketball area. These were all on our ‘must-have’ list. Troy and I work from home, so the front living room needed to remain our office. And with our growing kids, better storage was a priority,” says Maria.
AFTER The expansive rear living space
The original structure is a 100 year old Californian bungalow that already sported a less than perfect extension. “The original home has great bones but it also had a renovation added about 30 years ago that we wanted to change. We needed to completely remove this part of the house and begin again with the original house layout,” says Maria who engaged architect Lyndal Williams, of My Architect, for the project. “We knew we wanted to use an architect. We work in the design industry and understand the value a quality architect brings to a project. We liked the way My Architect’s structure works, allowing us to remain in control, rather than being locked into a contract with a large design/build company,” says Maria.
AFTER: Kitchen. I love those sea foam coloured feature tiles.
After the renovation, all that remains of the original building is the two front rooms that house the main bedroom and living room. “Everything behind that was gutted. We then rebuilt a new back half of the house, remodelling some of the original layout, enlarging the original front living room and keeping the main bedroom the same size. We then added a second storey, including three bedrooms, a living room and two bathrooms,” says Maria.
BEFORE: Rear of the homeAFTER: Rear of the home
Standout features include the brick feature wall in the lounge room and outdoor area – it brings so much warmth to the space and was constructed from bricks from the old driveway and backyard paving. Another highlight is just how large the main living area now feels. “We kept the original ceiling height of the front of the house but since the block slopes down, Lyndal designed the new half of the house to step down by three steps, so our main living room and kitchen ceiling height is a generous 3.6 metres. This creates an amazing volume and sense of space in the back half of the house. We love it and everyone always comments on it,” says Maria.
AFTER: Where old meets new
And while the home sits on just 500 square metres, the design has maximised the space with a fabulously designed backyard too. “We have used every centimetre of the outside to fit in a pool and spa, whilst making sure we have a big enough decking area leading out from the main living area, as we eat outside and entertain a lot. We installed a small basketball court for our kids which is proving to be a very multi-functional play area too,” says Maria.
The backyard is now the perfect entertainer’s space
“We plan on being here for the next 20 years, so we put a lot of time and effort into the project. We splurged on a few things, like the green tiles for our bathroom, the amazingly soft carpet in our main bedroom and the marble benchtops in the kitchen, knowing we will enjoy them for many years to come.”
