Tag: residential design

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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 ME is a modest home, rich in thought and consideration.

The house is significant in the way it evolves the idea of an antipodean coastal home. With strong considerations towards sustainability and affordability, it rejoices in the idea of simplicity with a design that mirrors the no-fuss nature of the Australian home.

Celebrating their 10th year, the Houses Awards have set a benchmark of excellence in Australian residential architecture. Seeking to uncover emerging talent and celebrate the industry’s leading designers, the Awards recognise the ability to challenge architectural norms and explore the true meaning of “home”.

Within the broader context of the world’s current challenges, Cantala Avenue House teaches us to reflect on what is truly important and what we really need to live well. “Architect Matthew Eagle has solved ordinary design problems in an extraordinary way, reconsidered the suburban status quo and pushed boundaries, literally and figuratively, all within a reasonable budget.” said the jury.

Matthew himself says: “The existing dwelling is extruded to the east and north establishing a private north-facing courtyard and re-engaging the public components of the dwelling with the street and wider neighbourhood. Planted courtyards permeate the plan providing access to light, ventilation and nature.”

The home champions the capacity for modest residential architecture to significantly impact the way we live in Australia. Despite being sited within an unremarkable yet incredibly familiar suburban context, this alteration and addition of a ramshackle 1970s-era house offers its neighbourhood a welcoming communal space.

The new brickwork entry sequence, planting and seating under a mature poinciana tree presents a skilful navigation of the balance between public and private spaces, with the public zones of the home being pushed to the street edge. The experience of the dwelling is expanded to encompass the street, demonstrating how design interventions can genuinely build community and neighbourhood.

The jury said the house is a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional beach shack – carefully avoiding replication, it is a playful and refreshing reinvention. It has civic respect, yet individualism. Standard or everyday materials and accessories, and the reuse of the existing structural systems, reveal the architect’s masterful ability to create architecture where it might otherwise not exist.

Equal priority has been given to indoor and outdoor spaces, appropriately embracing the subtropical climate. Both the existing plan and the new addition are punctuated with planted courtyards to maximise natural light and ventilation while minimising heat from the harsh western sun. 

Presented by Houses magazine, the House Awards is an annual program celebrating Australia’s best residential projects.

Architecture Media’s Katelin Butler said, that in her decade-long standing, there has been an undoubted evolution in Australian residential architecture as well as an emergence of a distinctly Australian design sensibility that responds to our climate and specific social culture.

Cantala Avenue House is joined by many outstanding architectural works this year. The 2020 Houses Awards winners are:

  • Australian House of the Year – Cantala Avenue House by ME (Miami, QLD)
  • New House Under 200 Square Metres – Fitzroy North House 02 by Rob Kennon Architects (Fitzroy North, VIC)
  • New House Over 200 Square Metres – Subiaco House by Vokes and Peters (Subiaco, WA)
  • House Alteration and Addition Over 200 Square Metres (Joint Winner) – Ruckers Hill House by Studio Bright (Northcote, VIC)
  • House Alteration and Addition Over 200 Square Metres (Joint Winner) – Cantala Avenue House by ME (Miami, QLD)
  • House Alteration and Addition Under 200 Square Metres – Bismarck House by Andrew Burges Architects (Bondi, NSW)
  • Apartment or Unit – Cremorne Point Apartment by Studio Plus Three (Cremorne Point, NSW)
  • Garden or Landscape – Vaucluse Garden by Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture with Bates Landscape (Vaucluse, NSW)
  • Sustainability – Waratah Secondary House by Anthrosite (Waratah, NSW)
  • House in a Heritage Context – Fitzroy North House 02 by Rob Kennon Architects (Fitzroy North, VIC)
  • Emerging Architecture Practice – Lineburg Wang (Brisbane, QLD)

Photography: Christopher Frederick Jones

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Designers Interviews

Meet Sydney female design trio TomMarkHenry

Chloe (left) and co-directors Jade Nottage and Cushla McFadden

A young company with fresh ideas and lots of passion, Sydney-based interior architecture firm TomMarkHenry, is the brainchild of school friends Chloe Matters, Jade Nottage and Cushla McFadden.

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Chloe, Jade and Cushla

Founded in early 2014, Chloe’s background in design and property development and Jade and Cushla’s rounded skill sets in interior architecture, have seen them make the perfect trio, with each bringing a different perspective to the table. “We design all our projects collaboratively,” explains Chloe. “So each design benefits from the strength of three minds and three opinions. We all have different perspectives and have learnt how to integrate these into seamless, harmonious designs.”

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TMH_PottsPoint_Bedroom-1170x850

Designing across all three sectors — residential, hospitality and commercial — they are open to any and all projects that come their way. So as a result, their short history has given way to quite the diverse portfolio. “We have designed a high-end butcher in Double Bay that is due to open at the end of this month,” says Jade. “Plus we have a Mexican food kiosk opening in Barangaroo at the end of September. We are also in the early stages of designing a café in Double Bay, which we are very excited about. In addition, we are designing several other hospitality venues around Sydney’s CBD and Eastern Suburbs. Throw some residential projects into the mix and we are very busy, exactly how we like it!”

Bondi's Best
Bondi’s Best

Already being acknowledged internationally by leading industry experts, their Bondi’s Best project is currently shortlisted in The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, the mark of many good things to come, we think! “As a result of this and lots of hard work, we have started to come up against designers on project tenders that we have always been inspired by,” explains Cushla. “The realisation that we were being considered for projects alongside some very talented design firms was a turning point for us.”

LuYu & Yum Yum
LuYu & Yum Yum

All under 32, they bring a fresh, new perspective to design, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know when to buckle down and get serious! “While we are a young company, we do take our design work and the operational side of our company very seriously,” says Jade. “We are committed to creating inventive, new concepts in the design process, yet we also have a maturity of process that comes with our intensity of experience in the industry.”

For more information.

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Competitions Designers

Apply now for the 2015 Australian Interior Design Awards

Entries are now open for the 2015 Australian Interior Design Awards, with Australia’s leading design professionals invited to share their most inspiring interior projects.

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2014 Residential Decoration winner Arent&Pyke

Recognising innovative thinking and visionary solutions in interior design since their establishment in 2004, the awards are co-presented by the Design Institute of Australia, designEX and Artichoke magazine. Online registrations are now open and entries can be submitted online until Friday 12 February 2015.

This year, the Australian Interior Design Awards welcomes an exciting new category – the Award for Interior Design Impact. This award will recognise the significant influence of interior design on the business, social, human resource, environmental and/or cultural outcomes of a project. In addition to this award, the program recognises achievement across the whole spectrum of interior design practice.

Categories include the Premier Award for Australian Interior Design, Sustainability Advancement, Emerging Interior Design Practice, Residential Design, Residential Decoration, Retail Design, Hospitality Design, Workplace Design, Public Design, Installation Design, Best of State for Commercial Design, Best of State for Residential Design and Best International Design.

Once again, the awards will be judged by experienced practitioners. This year’s jury comprises of Dan Cox, Carr Design Group (Vic); Hamish Guthrie, Hecker Guthrie (Vic); Genevieve Lilley, Genevieve Lilley Architects (Tas); Robyn Lindsey, Geyer (Vic); Geraldine Maher, Jackson Interiors (Vic); Sarah-Jane Pyke, Arent & Pyke (NSW); Brenton Smith, Bates Smart (NSW); and Hamilton Wilson, Wilson Architects (Qld). John Gersakis, InfoActiv (Vic), is the sustainability advisor, and Joanne Cys, associate professor in interior architecture at the University of South Australia is the jury convenor.

Register online.

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Designers Interviews

HASSELL’s Scott Walker on why interior design is as important as architecture

In a world that is sometimes quick to favour the discipline of architecture over interior design, Scott Walker, head of interior design at HASSELL, is determined to dispute that belief.

Claremont Apartments
Claremont Apartments

“One aspect of our studio we are most proud of is that we are not an architectural practice with a few interior designers or landscape architects scattered throughout as a mechanism to tick the ‘we are a multidisciplinary design firm’ box,” explains Scott. “Our disciplines have strong voices within our culture. For example, we are one of the larger firms of architects and yet our managing director is an interior designer. Very few design firms in the world would give such a voice to often marginalised design disciplines.”

Adelaide Zoo
Adelaide Zoo

Originally studying architecture himself, Scott deferred after a couple of years to get some real world experience at a small architectural practice. Two years later, he returned to university, but this time with a clearer idea in his mind as to where he fit in the design world, beginning a degree in interior design at Melbourne’s RMIT.

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HASSELL’s head of interior design, Scott Walker

He has worked at a range of practices, but has been at HASSELL for the last ten years. A respected international firm, Scott’s role as head of interior design has him oversee 15o designers located throughout Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK. As a result he travels extensively, something he marks as both the biggest benefit and the biggest challenge of his job.

“Distance and the sheer amount of work continue to be a juggle,” says Scott. “Whilst the internet makes us all more connected, there’s nothing better than working face to face, so travel is fundamental to being international. Australia is too far away. Having said that, the challenge is also the benefit. Travel in itself, visiting international cities is an obvious benefit, which fuels inspiration.”

Claremont Apartments
Claremont Apartments

Working across all sectors: residential, hospitality and commercial, Scott’s primary role is focusing on improving the design quality of HASSELL’s projects and improving the processes amongst their teams: “Put simply, my role is to make everything we design, excellent.” While he is based in Melbourne, he is involved in all the overseas projects and is particularly enjoying working on a new residential build in Singapore. “This project involves our architecture and landscape architecture teams,” explains Scott. “Having the opportunity to develop interiors from the project’s inception and then integrate the design with our landscape team means that we are constantly working beyond the bounds of what people normally consider interiors.”

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Flinders Street Station

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Flinders Street Station

Always favouring his current job: “My favourite projects tend to be the ones l’m working on now. I’m not sentimental!” He has to confess that the Flinders Street Station competition, which last year saw HASSELL’s design be unanimously selected as the winner for the redevelopment of the historic site, was a very exciting project to be a part of. “Flinders Street Station is so central to Melbourne’s psyche and the development of the site and the station itself would place Melbourne ‘out there’ in international terms. Flinders Street could do for Melbourne what the Guggenheim did for Bilbao and at the same time be instrumental in helping fix our public transport issues.”

While the project is yet to get the go-ahead to be built, the win is certainly one of HASSELL’s biggest achievements (alongside the more than 850 awards they have won!), especially for a firm that refuses to prioritise profit. “Through the GFC and the general issues to do with the running of a largish practice, we have remained committed to designing a range of projects at various scales,” explains Scott. “We have not let the commercial aspect of running a business overtake the idea that it is design excellence that will drive success, not large profits.”

See more of HASSELL’s work at their website.

Categories
Designers Interviews

James Dawson’s award-winning edgy apartment, inspired by all things Parisian

James Dawson is still on a high from last week’s win. James Dawson Interior Design came home with the Best of State – Residential (Queensland), at the Australian Interior Design Awards (AIDA) as well as a commendation for Residential Decoration.

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“I entered the awards on a reluctant whim,” says James. “And to be listed with those that have been in the industry much longer than me, that on its own was a huge thrill. Considering the experience of the judging panel and the high standard of entries, it was a great professional achievement in the eyes of my industry.”

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Marine Parade Apartment

It’s no surprise James’s Marine Parade Apartment was a winner; avant-garde in design and inspired by all things Parisian, it is sophisticated but risky and that’s exactly how James likes to design. “My niche is my ability to create spaces that require risk-taking and conviction,” he explains. “Even if the client doesn’t always see it at first, they love it in the end! It’s a self-confidence and belief.”

james dawson
Marine Parade Apartment

A risk taker not just in interiors, he rocked a black custom kilt, jimmy high tops and a tuxedo shirt for the AIDA gala night! James’ dream project would be to create a space for Bjork. He is inspired by all things music, fashion and architecture and definitely marks them as influences for the change in his practice: “My style has been evolving recently, it was light and playful but after the recent project I feel I have found a new style, more sophisticated and moody.”

New projects will soon be added to this list, with James currently working on a riverfront penthouse in Brisbane’s St Lucia, a residence in Sydney’s Neutral Bay and, fingers crossed, a commercial space he is currently in negotiations for.

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Marine Parade Apartment

Working in residential, commercial and hospitality, James started James Dawson Interiors in late 2012. With a team of three, he is based in Brisbane and will be adding a Sydney office to the mix in August this year. Starting his own firm has had its challenges, but he says having patience has been the key to his success. “The challenges of starting your own practice, from my experience, were finding the right people to surround myself with, getting a good balance between work and home life and having the right clients that have confidence in me and my ability. All of these things take time, so have patience.”

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Studio 23

Though for James, the benefits far outweigh any initial teething problems: “You get such a variety of work each day and work with interesting and creative people. There’s a sense of freedom.”

A lover of mixing materials, textures and finishes, James first found his love for interiors when, at 20, he started flipping properties. From there, he dabbled in a number of different industries before settling down for a life as an interior designer.

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Springwood Residence

For James, interior design is all about self-expression, finding your own place and style in the industry and realising that the design world is big enough for everyone!

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Competitions Designers

Australian Interior Design Awards finalists announced: see the residential design shortlist

The finalists in the residential design category of 2014’s Australian Interior Design Awards have produced some pretty stellar houses and while the first question on my lips is “when can I move in?” for now I’ll have to settle for the photos!

Eltham South, Blairgowrie VIC by Wolveridge Architects
Eltham South, Blairgowrie VIC by Wolveridge Architects

Currently in their 11th year, the awards have made quite a reputation, with an impressive number of smaller practices competing alongside Australia’s more established design teams.

Claremont Apartments NSW by TKD Architects
Claremont Apartments NSW by TKD Architects

A favourite of mine has to be Place to Daydream by Tony Hobba Architects, a beach house that sits on the Victorian coast and seamlessly blurs together the indoor and outdoor space.

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Place to Daydream VIC by Tony Hobba Architects

The full list of finalists in the category are:

Caroline Di Costa Architect and iredale pedersen hook architects for CASA31_4 Room House, WA

Tzannes Associates for Bellevue Hill Residence, NSW

Andrew Maynard Architects for Black House, Vic

Wolf Architects for The Wolf House, Vic

HASSELL for Point King Residence, Vic

Robson Rak Architects and Made by Cohen for Elwood House, Vic

Breathe Architecture for Stonewood, Vic

Edwards Moore for Lightbox, Vic

Kennedy Nolan for Brighton House, Vic

Wolveridge Architects for Eltham South, Blairgowrie, Vic

Wolveridge Architects for Northcote Project, Vic

Bower Architecture for Hover House, Vic

Edwards Moore for Dollshouse, Vic
Neometro in collaboration with MA Architects for 231 Smith Street, Vic

ATTICUS & MILO for Swinging Seventies, Vic

Fiona Lynch for The Hawthorn East House, Vic

Bates Smart for 35 Spring Street Display Suite, Vic

Maddison Architects for Cabin Too, Vic

Arent&Pyke and TFAD for The Avenue, NSW

Adrian Amore Architects Pty Ltd for Loft Apartment, West Melbourne, VIC

Mim Design for Chamber’s Street, Vic

Clare Cousins Architects for Flinders Lane Apartment, Vic

Robson Rak Architects for Dale House, Vic

TKD Architects for Claremont Apartments, NSW

BKK Architects for Holiday House, Vic

Architects EAT for Three Parts House, Vic

Elenberg Fraser for Melbourne Residence, Vic

Arkhefield for Hunters Hill House, NSW

Tribe Studio Architects for House Maher, NSW

Tribe Studio Architects for House Chapple, NSW

Tribe Studio Architects for House Bruce Alexander, NSW

susi leeton architects + interiors pty ltd for Flinders House, Vic

Robert Mills Architects and Interior Designers for Brighton Residence, Vic

Koichi Takada Architects for Beach Residence, NSW

Tony Hobba Architects for Place to Daydream, Vic

Holiday House VIC by BKK Architects
Holiday House VIC by BKK Architects

Later this week, we will be bringing you the finalists from the residential decoration category, so stay tuned.

For more information.