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PETER MADDISON ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS PLUS TV HOUSE EXCLUSIVE DEE WHY HOUSE

TOP FLOORED Never underestimate what’s underfoot

10 staircases with the swoon factor

45 interior ideas for your own project GO WITH THE FLOW Seamless transitions from inside to out

WINNING KITCHENS Pick of the crop

Issue 8.5 AUS $9.95* NZ $12.99 (Incl. GST)

OOZING GLASS No throwing stones in this sunlight-filled dream house

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CRE DI T S

PETER MADDISON ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS PLUS TV HOUSE EXCLUSIVE DEE WHY HOUSE

TOP FLOORED Never underestimate what’s underfoot

10 staircases with the swoon factor

45 interior ideas for your own project GO WITH THE FLOW Seamless transitions from inside to out

WINNING KITCHENS Pick of the crop

Issue 8.5 AUS $9.95* NZ $12 99 (Incl GST)

EDITORIAL Editor Angela Young ayoung@umco.com.au Editor-at-Large Peter Maddison Deputy Editor Cassie Haywood Contributors Carrol Baker, Pete Colquhoun, Chris Knierim, Louise Smithers, Graham Wood Art Director Kate Podger Plans Anthony Allars Sub-Editor Michelle Segal TV House Photographer Rhiannon Slatter

OOZING GLASS No throwing stones in this sunlight-filled dream house

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS NSW Advertising Team Leader Anthea Hamilton P: (02) 9887 0311 M: 0414 319 271 E: ahamilton@umco.com.au Vic, SA & Tas Advertising Manager Natalie Grosso M: 0420 477 422 E: ngrosso@umco.com.au Vic Kitchens, Bathrooms & Heating Specialist John Oliver P: (03) 9694 6430 M: 0417 316 820 Qld Business Development Consultant Lynn Hill P: (07) 3351 8725 M: 0488 424 232 E: lhill@umco.com.au Advertising Production Thomas Pena Advertising Art Director Martha Rubazewicz

Chairman/CEO Prema Perera Publisher Janice Williams Chief Financial Officer Vicky Mahadeva Associate Publisher Emma Perera Finance & Administration Manager James Perera Circulation Business Development Manager Mark McTaggart Creative Director Kate Podger Marketing & Acquisitions Manager Chelsea Peters This magazine is printed on paper produced in a mill that meets Environmental Management System ISO14001. Grand Designs Australia issue 8.5 is published by Universal Magazines, Unit 5, 6-8 Byfield Street, North Ryde NSW 2113. Phone: (02) 9805 0399, Fax: (02) 9805 0714. Melbourne office, Level 1, 150 Albert Street, South Melbourne Vic 3205. Phone: (03) 9694 6444, Fax: (03) 9699 7890. Printed in Singapore by Times Printers, timesprinters.com. Retail distribution: Gordon and Gotch, Australia. Distributed in Singapore and Malaysia by CARKIT (FE), Singapore, Phone: 65 62821 960. This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to the publishers. The publishers believe all the information supplied in this book to be correct at the time of printing. They are not, however, in a position to make a guarantee to this effect and accept no liability in the event of any information proving inaccurate. Prices, addresses and phone numbers were, after investigation, and to the best of our knowledge and belief, up to date at the time of printing, but the shifting sands of time may change them in some cases. It is not possible for the publishers to ensure that advertisements which appear in this publication comply with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) and the Australian Consumer Law. The responsibility must therefore be on the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisements for publication. While every endeavour has been made to ensure complete accuracy, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. * Recommended retail price ISSN 2200 – 2197 Copyright © Universal Magazines MMXIX ACN 003 026 944 umco.com.au Please pass on or recycle this magazine.

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GRAND DESIGNS

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CON TENT S

38

93 REGULARS 16 Credits 22 Editor’s Letter 24 Editor-at-Large 26 Social 202 Ask the architect CREATIVE EDIT 28 Top 10 staircases 30 Architecture snapshot 32 Book club 34 What’s hot IN PROFILE 38 Paul Hecker 41 Tracy Young 42 Michael Cusack SPECIAL FEATURE 49 Inside/outside flow

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133 18

GRAND DESIGNS

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CO NTENT S

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82 110 HOUSES 62 TV House Dee Why The mother of invention 75 Shipping Container House The only way is up 84 Villa Cinquecento The best in Budapest 94 The Ash Morely the merrier 110 Hidden House Hide and seek 122 Torquay House Talk of the town 134 House Freyer From the outside, looking in

20

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS 150Â Design contest winners 158 Hawthorn House 2 bathroom FEATURES 162 A floor in your plans 172 Blind determination OUTDOOR PROJECT 183 An alfresco wonderland EXPERT ADVICE 196 Architecture 198 Building

104 GRAND DESIGNS

150

What a Viu

Welcome to the bathroom of tomorrow.

The idea: Soft, organic inner forms meet geometric, precise outer contours. A fusion of different materials –ceramics, woo he purpose: Perfection from every angle, technology for maximum comfort. The result: Viu. Design by sieger design, realised by Duravit. What a Viu! For more bathroom design visit www.duravit.com and Bathe, 25 John Street, Leichhardt, NSW 2040, Tel: 1300 133 320. Bathe showroom, 1 Craine Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205, www.bathe.net.au

ED ITO R’S LET T ER

From the Editor Mentionables Bird chaise. tomdixon.net Ile Maurice low table. cypraea.mu Hum sofa. muar.com.uy

esign inspiration can come from literally anywhere — the streets, the homes of loved ones, th he houses of the rich and famous, foressts and mountains… I could go on. But sometimes inspiration can be found in the most obvious place. A design fair, for example.

I’ve been wallowing in all the e gorgeous innovation oozing out of the London Design n Fair, and I am feeling well and truly inspired. I love love love the Ile Maurice low table, designed by Francesco Maria Messina for Cypraea’s Rissing Ocean collection, which immediately ttransports me straight to the sea (perfectly illu ustrated in situ, above), and I’m desperate to sit my bum down on London Design Medal winner Tom Dixon’s Bird Chaise and rock my yself to sleep.

As for Uruguayan design stud dio Muar Diseño’s Hum sofa, with its beechwood, rrattan and velvet combo, I feel a swoon coming on n!

Back to our own, rather warm mer, shores, there’s plenty in these pages to inspire you for your own projects, with beautiful houses showcased, fasscinating designers profiled (check out Paul Hecker’s brutal-esque designs on page 38), and tips on how to perfect your inside/outside flow and select th he right flooring and blin nds for your space. So get flickin ng and don’t forget to tear out the pages you love for yourr mood boards. Be inspired.

Angela ANGELA YOUNG EDITOR

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GRAND DESIGNS

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Celebrating 20 years 1999-2019

EDI TOR-AT- LARG E

From Peter Maddison

Mid-century modernism Along with the question “will it date?”, I’m often asked “where do you start for a good design?”. Of course I’d tell you to engage an architect, but there are other modes of procurement such as building designers, draftsmen and off-the-shelf products.

A good starting point is to check out the mid-century modernist (MCM) architects in whom there’s been a resurgence of interest. There are great lessons to be learnt from this period, because its design principles are still relevant today. The open-plan, indoor/outdoor living, expression of structure and use of natural materials, among other things, relate so well to the Australian climate and our cultural sensibility. An excellent reference tool is Australia Modern by Philip Goad and Hannah Lewi, published by Thames & Hudson, 2019. It’s a luscious publication that captures the spirit of the time.

The period of 1925 to 1975 is generally regarded as the golden period of Australian architecture, when the past was cast aside and incredibly inventive houses were constructed from modest budgets. Architects such as McGlashan & Everist, Kevin Borland, Neil Clerehan, Roy Grounds, Frederick Romberg and many others helped change the way we think about housing and how it relates to the Australian lifestyle.

Catching up There are mass housing companies that are catching up to the relevance of modernism, which offer good pre-designed house and land packages.

Companies such as InForm, Mckimm, Intermode and Prebuilt have become the modern-day Merchant Builders.

Modernism Robin Boyd’s own home in Walsh Street, South Yarra, is important to visit to understand how inspiring modernism is. Incredibly, it was completed in 1958 yet still looks as if it could have been designed yesterday. It’s not only a fantastic house because of the inventive design, but more so because of the man who lived there. Robin Boyd changed Australia’s appreciation of architecture through his tireless campaigning. Programs including Open House Melbourne allow you to see Boyd’s house (and other modernist buildings) first-hand.

Beaumaris modern

ill it date?”

I’m often asked how to create timeless architecture. It seems there’s a phobia among some people that anything current will become passé as soon as it’s built. I find this concept fascinating, but also frustrating. Fascinating in that people want to protect their nest egg and don’t want to see its value decline.

Frustrating because this phobia tends to propagate conservatism and historic, imported styles like Georgian, Spanish Mission and Victorian.

My take is that if something is designed in an original manner and is relevant to its place (use of local materials) and climate (orientation, prevailing winds and temperature), a building will age gracefully and become more valuable over time.

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This Melbourne suburb contains a rich collection of MCM buildings worth investigating. They’re accessible through the Beaumaris Modern program, which has lectures and open days. Also see the book Beaumaris Modern, published by Melbourne Books, 2018.

I’m a real enthusiast of both Open House Melbourne and Beaumaris Modern, being an ambassador for both these organisations. Just between you and me, I live in a mid-century home, which my wife and I have renovated over the last 17 years. We love it! And if you happen to be passing Palm Springs in LA in February, they celebrate everything modernism, too. modernismweek.com

Season 8 The recent season 8 of Grand Designs Australia had some fantastic projects that used modernism as inspiration. In episode 8 we saw Suffolk Park Modern in Byron and Mount Tambourine Tropical near Brisbane in the ninth episode. These two houses prove my point; they will not date.

They’re inventive, affordable, inspiring, relate to their place, and both have taken lessons from MCM.

PETER MADDISON EDITOR-AT-LARGE

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DE SI G N FO R U M

01

02

01/ World Architecture Festival The largest interactive global architectural awards program and festival in the world turns heads each year with a “best of the best” line-up. Competition is fierce, but our very own architects and designers made Australia one of the top five nations entering WAF in Amsterdam this year.

With shortlisted entries released and the winners’ announcement due in December, we’re on tenterhooks. The WAFX prize was announced early, with 10 winning projects tackling global issues lined up for display at the festival. Pictured is the St Andrews Beach Villa, designed by Woods Bagot and shortlisted for Completed Buildings: Villa. Photography by Trevor Mein. worldarchitecturefestival.com 02/ The Think Brick Awards 2019 A daring use of clay bricks, concrete masonry or roof tiles was the name of the game for the 2019 Think Brick Awards.

Entrants competed for a share in the record $70,000 prize money for their bold, “one of a kind” designs. These awards highlight inspirational architecture while showcasing the materials dominating contemporary Australian design. Pictured is the House at Otago Bay by Topology Studio, which received the Kevin Borland Masonry Award. Photography by Paul Hermes. thinkbrick.com.au

Get social Click to explore the wonders of our architectural environment E D I T E D BY C A S S I E H AY WO O D

03

04

03/ Dl Collection By Designbythem Translating fashion into furniture, this collaboration of Dion Lee, Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis for DesignByThem is built on interdisciplinary design principles. The new collection combines organic materials and angular silhouettes with Italian saddle leather tensioned over a steel frame. Perhaps more art than furniture, the pieces showcase a fluidity, with truly dynamic elements. Photography by Pete Daly. designbythem.com 04/ Melt collection by WonderGlass The masterfully created Melt exhibition of works by Nendo for WonderGlass showcases a cast glass furniture and tabletop collection, and includes the launch of a new gravity-formed cast glass chandelier. The idea is to accept the flow of gravity and allow the weight of the glass to “design itself”, by laying hot glass sheets over steel shapes that are then suspended between steel bars. livingedge.com.au

W: completehome.com.au N: completehome.com.au/e-news-signup F: facebook.com/granddesignsau I: instagram.com/granddesignsau P: pinterest.com.au/granddesignsau

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Creative

Edit Take a look at what’s happening in the world of architecture and interior design 28 Top 10: staircases 30 Architecture snapshot 32 Book club 34 What’s hot 38 In profile

GRAND DESIGNS

27

01

02

DAH Architecture Photography by Cathy Schusler

Ian Moore Architects Photography by Daniel Mayne

Stairway TO HEAVEN Revel in our pick of 10 incredible staircases

04 Kennedy Nolan Photography by Derek Swalwell

E D I T E D BY C A S S I E H AY WO O D

05 JAC studios Photography by Karina Tengberg

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GRAND DESIGNS

06 Austin Maynard Architects Photography by Derek Swalwell

03 Luigi Rosselli Architects Photography by Prue Roscoe

CR E ATI VE EDIT

07 Austin Maynard Architects Photography by Derek Swalwell

08 Luigi Rosselli Architects Photography by Prue Roscoe

09 Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors Photography by Mark Roper

10 Tato Architects and Phorm Architecture + Design Photography by Christopher Frederick Jones

01/ This staircase’s earthy combination of timber and metal makes a rustic statement piece, complemented by the concrete and brick surrounds.

02/ We’re not sure what we like more — the way this space plays with reflection, the open riser steps or post handrails that continue seamlessly upwards.

03/ Our golden girl of the bunch, this dainty staircase follows a slight curve aided by the wafer-thin poles to paint an elegant picture.

04/ This striking staircase makes us green with envy. If you thought the stairs were eye-catching from this angle, the kitchen sees a single beam with the steps extending from the sides like wings.

05/ Disconnected from the ground floor, the two-part staircase appears to almost float and is a feature in itself.

06/ This contemporary staircase

seamlessly fits onto the cabinetry of the kitchen and includes netting so little ones don’t slip off, suiting the playful nature of the space.

07/ Four different materials have been used in this staircase, yet somehow they exude a natural elegance and creativity in design that we love. A smooth transition from each staircase to the next ensures a cohesive whole.

08/ Almost more art than staircase, the spectacular spiral shape evokes a dynamic, modern aesthetic.

09/ Tucked behind a curved wall and spiralling upwards to the next floor, the beautiful veined black marble tread is warmed by the skylight above, which fills the enclosed stairwell with light.

10/ Landing in the middle of the room, this blue steel staircase offers an industrial edge that isn’t pushed to the side but is celebrated centre stage.

GRAND DESIGNS

29

CR E ATI VE EDIT 01

ARCHITECTURE

01

GREAT GRANNY HOUSE

Decisive brutalism meets angles in this striking Cooper Shoot (New South Wales) home.

Collaborating with architect Peter Carmichael, the Harley Graham team designed a house responsive to the site and the region’s local availability of high-quality concrete. Ocean views to the south are maximised from two wings, while the northern windows flood the home with light.

Rugged materials are used on the exterior of the home, corrugated steel and off-form concrete acknowledging local sheds and outbuildings. The structure is complementary and revealing of the homeowners’ personalities and intrinsic way of life. The home has an eclecticism of design well suited to those who live within.

Photography by Peter Tanevski. harleygraham.com

snapshot Standout architecture that goes above and beyond E D I T E D BY C A S S I E H AY WO O D

02

MALVERN HOUSE

02

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GRAND DESIGNS

Complete with a living green roof, a dreamy backyard and light-flooded interiors that look like something out of a movie, this project speaks of the homeowners’ love for gardening and acts as a calming backdrop to their daily lives. Nestled in Melbourne’s leafy Malvern, this 1930s home was originally built with a maze of rooms and corridors separating the “seen” spaces from the “unseen” at the rear. The first step was untangling the layout into a cohesive whole and connecting it to the verdant garden. The first floor was then transformed from a lofty attic to a pavilion-like structure with kitchen and dining area that links back to the existing family spaces.

When built, this home will be a sure knockout.

Render by Large Arts. taylorknights.com.au

04

03

03

THE CLUBHOUSE

Set deep within the hillside with expansive views across a lush golf course, this house is a hole in one.

Wooden battens line the front of the building, reinforcing the home’s connection to nature while offering glimpses of the living area on the first floor. The luxury suite on the upper level includes an elevated garden and cantilevered pool that are high enough to enjoy the gorgeous scenery while still offering privacy from the golfers. At the heart of the architecture is a sophisticated beach house with abundant light and a timber facade that will silver off to settle into the landscape. Protected outdoor spaces populated with coastal dune flora typical of the area extend from the home, signifying its place in the surrounding environment.

Photography by Derek Swalwell. wolveridge.com.au

04

EMPIRE HOUSE

Retaining and reusing the current site, rather than knocking down and rebuilding, was one of the first big choices made when it came to deciding the future of this home. Described as an exercise in restraint by the designers at Austin Maynard Architects, the Empire House addresses the homeowners’ wish for sunny spaces and to remain connected to the original building. Site lines were cleared and a corridor through the centre of the house was created to meet this brief. The exterior is now celebrated with the distinguishing feature of the handcrafted shingles, which add a good dollop of creative flair.

Photography by Derek Swalwell. maynardarchitects.com

05

05

BARDOLPH GARDENS

Brick by brick, considered construction has resulted in a unique facade and privacy screen for this urban residence. While looking face-on we’re able to see cut-outs of the house, casual passers-by on the street won’t get much of a glimpse due to the creative use of bricks. An artistic twist on a classic building material, the Bardolph Gardens project showcases a unique angle on the typical brick home and creates a front-yard haven for the inhabitants to read, garden or enjoy good weather. A series of brick screens cordons off smaller courtyards around the home, too, to allow light and air to enter the adjacent rooms, while still offering plenty of privacy inside.

Photography by Tom Ross. breathe.com.au

GRAND DESIGNS

31

R EV IEWS

BY THE SEA BARRY STONE | NEW HOLLAND PUBLISHERS $49.99 Mesmerising, the ocean offers a bounty of delight around its ever-shifting planes. By the Sea explores architecture and its relationship with the sea, whether relating to houses on snow-capped hills or island cafes. The 50-plus beachfront properties were carefully chosen for their aesthetic value, history, ambience and success blending in or adapting to the coastal location. A book you can flick through for inspiration or simply to admire, the incredibly photographed buildings are brought to life by travel writer Barry Stone.

Book club Broaden your horizons…

E D I T E D BY C A S S I E H AY WO O D

PATTERSON: HOUSES OF AOTEAROA ANDREW PATTERSON THAMES & HUDSON | $90 Arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand boasts stunning landscapes, a rich heritage and thoughtfully designed architecture. In Māori culture, architecture is approached as a construction of beliefs whereupon a building is the physical expression of those who live within it. A home is more than a simple structure — it’s also the manifestation of the inhabitants’ personalities, hopes and dreams. This concept is the backbone behind many of the designs of kiwi architect Andrew Patterson. Showcasing 14 of Patterson’s recent houses, this book tells the story of each home’s setting and how architecture reacts to the breathtaking landscapes of Aotearoa.

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GRAND DESIGNS

THE BEST OF GRAND DESIGNS AUSTRALIA VOLUME II BAUER BOOKS | $59.99 Dreading flipping to the last page of this magazine?

Fear not, you can extend your Grand Designs reading enjoyment with the much-anticipated next volume of The Best of Grand Designs Australia. From a home inspired by Japanese origami to another designed around a shipping container, delve into the properties that filled the screens in series 6 to 8. This book is an ode to the Australian homeowners, architects and builders who poured their sweat and tears into seeing their dream home become reality. The modern, the unique and the brilliant — prepare to be blown away.

INTERIORS

ARCHITECTS AT HOME

SANDRA NUNNERLEY POWERHOUSE BOOKS | $110 No day is the same for an interior designer, and Interiors provides a peek into the life and mind of the renowned Sandra Nunnerley. Working on an array of prestigious interior design commissions from around the world, Nunnerley’s career spans townhouses in Manhattan and tropical getaways in the Bahamas. Often the homes include bold architecture or prized art collections that accompany her designs and interact with the space. This book documents her inspiration, design process and how we too can create our dream home.

JOHN V. MUTLOW IMAGES PUBLISHING HOUSE $39.99 Have you ever wanted to peek into the home of an architect and see what their free expression of creativity has unleashed? We certainly have, and in Architects at Home you can take a tour through more than 40 private homes of some the world’s leading architects.

Fascinating, eclectic and stylish, these houses reflect the personal tastes and trends that architects have chosen to take home. From interior design techniques to art, furnishings and technology, prepare to delve into some pretty incredible spaces.

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GRAND DESIGNS

EMI high pod in black. anacastudio.com.au

Artemis fan with light in dark koa. beaconlighting.com.au

Home Republic Canning plant — spiky fern. adairs.com.au

INSPO Layers of texture and natural materials create a homey, cabin-like bedroom Styling by Lovely Linen. lovelylinen.com

Maximus sideboard in solid walnut. iconbydesign.com.au

Luxury velvet cushion in tan. aurahome.com.au

Antique brass planters. satara.com.au Auburn chair in olive. westelm.com.au

Avoca sofa. coshliving.com.au

GRAND DESIGNS

35

2020 TILER OF THE YEAR

AWARDS ENTER NOW TO

WIN!

Bathroom by Kube Constructions kubeconstructions.com.au Photography by Charlie Ashfield

I

n an industry first, National Tiles and Grand Designs Australia, in partnership with our sponsors, are excited to announce the inaugural Tiler of the Year Awards 2020. And the grand prize is a force of nature! The commanding Mazda BT-50 Boss.

We are passionate about tiles, and without the incredible talent of hardworking Australian tilers our industry could not exist. It requires a skilled artisan who takes pride

in their work to create a beautifully finished tiled floor, wall, splashback, shower and outdoor paving area. Tiled correctly, these spaces will stand the test of time. It’s a tough job, too – painstaking, back-breaking and physically demanding.

So, we want to send out a collective heartfelt thank you to all of the amazing tilers who work so hard for their clients in residential and commercial projects, from Darwin to Hobart and from Perth to the east coast — we couldn’t do what we do without you.

HOW IT WORKS If you are a tiler, simply upload a photo of your work or, if you’re a homeowner, renovator, interior designer, design professional, builder or architect, upload an image of a beautifully tiled space in your own home or a project of yours. completehome.com.au/win-national-tiles Entry applications close on 5 March, and this is when our esteemed judging panel will select 10 finalists from around Australia.

These finalists will be announced on 12 March and photographs will be uploaded to the Voting App so everyone can vote for their favourite space.

Nominate your tiler for the chance to be

Grand De

s

stralia

The finalists will be invited to attend a very special event in Melbourne where the winner and runners-up will be announced.

The winner will be featured in the July issue of Grand Designs Australia (entry applicants will need to be available for a photo shoot for this feature).

National Tiles, Grand Designs Australia and Mazda proudly support The Halt Brekky in acknowledgement of the issues surrounding the mental health of tradies. thehaltbrekky.com HOW TO ENTER Simply enter a good quality photograph/s and tiler details via completehome.com.au/ win-national-tiles Entries are accepted from 21 November, 2019, to 5 March, 2020 The 10 finalists will be announced on 12 March and photos uploaded to the Voting App so you can choose your favourite space

SPONSORS

IN COLLABORATION WITH

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SAMPLE IMAGES FOR SUBMISSIONS

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PRIZES The National Tiles Tiler of the Year will win a Mazda BT-50 Boss The 1st runner-up will win a prize valued at over $5000* The 2nd runner-up will win a prize valued at over $3000* One reader who nominates the winning entry will win a one-hour one-on-one design consultation with one of Australia’s leading hard finish designers, Kate Walker of KWD

•

PANEL OF JUDGES

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*More details soon. Terms and conditions can be seen at nationaltiles.com.au

Kate Walker

Cameron Whittaker

Angela Young

Founder/Director KWD

GM of Product & Procurement National Tiles

Editor Grand Designs Australia

I N P RO F I LE

Paul Hecker Co-founder of renowned design practice Hecker Guthrie, Paul Hecker aims to create distinctive, thoughtful and memorable homes WO R D S C A S S I E H AY WO O D

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home can be loved by one person and hated by another, but instilling a feeling of awe into someone who’s walked into a room transcends aesthetics. Paul Hecker describes a successful design as one that moves someone, regardless of how the space looks. It’s this design ethos that his award-winning practice Hecker Guthrie is built upon. After almost 35 years in the industry and roughly 20 years (they lost count!) since Paul and co-founder Hamish Guthrie started their design studio, the practice stays true to the values they hold so dear for good design.

Paul describes himself as lazy, energetic and happy. He brings vibrancy to any room with a contagious enthusiasm that hasn’t waned over the years of designing beautiful spaces. With a goal to “leave a positive legacy” while striving to be continually better, Paul is focused on bringing sensitivity and thoughtfulness to all aspects of design. “Get it right the first time and use common sense,” he says. “One of the worst things for our environment is disposability of products. The mentality that if you don’t like it you just throw it out and change it isn’t sustainable.” Alongside practices like using organic waxes and glues, low-VOC finishes and materials of quality, Paul designs homes to last.

Team members of Hecker Guthrie are asked to put together images that inspire them, whether they’re places, jewellery, clothing, art or music. “We’re like bowerbirds that gather inspiration from everywhere,” Paul says. “We’re outward looking and what that does ultimately is make our style difficult to define.”

Something that has inspired us is one of Paul’s latest projects, 94 River Street — a large-scale sculpture imagined as a building.

The design explores the idea of monumentalism (“big, singular, sculptural”) and creates a true home where its inhabitants can flourish. A collaboration between Paul, Anatoly Mezhov, Irene Polo and Brett Robinson, River Street is comprised of three remarkable dwellings placed carefully together.

Now heading up one of Australia’s leading design practices, Paul has been shaped personally and creatively by his design journey. While there is responsibility in owning a business, there’s also laughter and fun in the people and work. “We are more our own people; we run our own race and we are better for it. That’s the joy of growing older in our industry,” Paul says. “I have a real confidence and surety that I didn’t have 20 years ago.” heckerguthrie.com

PAUL SAYS “We’re like bowerbirds that gather inspiration from everywhere”

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I N P RO F I LE

Tracy Young A tech entrepreneur shakes things up in the building industry WO R D S C A S S I E H AY WO O D

he construction industry can be a hard game. Deadlines passing and extending, miscommunication between teams and overreaching budgets are just a few of the difficulties that companies face when creating the infrastructure of our cities and homes.

Not one to shy away from difficult problems, Tracy Young is the co-founder and CEO of PlanGrid, a mobile technology enabling project teams to collaborate in real time across all stages of construction. With years of experience as a construction engineer, her understanding of the challenges of the business gave her the inside perspective of what the industry wants and needs.

“We were in the right place at the right time,” says Tracy.

“When Steve Jobs announced the first-generation iPad in 2010, we knew it was the perfect computing hardware for the construction industry and we wanted to build software for it.”

And so began the eight-year journey of PlanGrid, the remarkable program that has since helped build more than 1.5 million projects, from the smallest kitchen remodels to the largest mega-projects in the world. The innovative platform saves users on average 6.5 hours a week — almost a day’s worth of time!

Despite the huge success of the program, Tracy says it’s the people that have made all the hard work worthwhile. “The technology we’ve built is both cool and inspiring, but when I look back at the eight years I’ve spent building PlanGrid, the most joyous moments for me always involve people. It’s so rewarding to hear a colleague say, ‘These past four years at PlanGrid have been the best years of my life’.”

Of course, no job is without its challenges and being the CEO of a global company is no exception. “I’ve found that the difficulties of building a project and building a company are the same for me. The difficulties are surprisingly not the hard engineering or organisational problems. The real difficulty is caring too much about our work, making mistakes or having unmet expectations at one time or another,” Tracy shares.

“Meanwhile, neither life nor our world stops just because we’re working on the hardest thing we’ve ever done. My co-founder Antoine died of cancer during our journey of building PlanGrid and however traumatic or unfair it was, it is simply how life works.”

A builder, warrior and mother, Tracy strives in all things to be present and to enjoy every moment: “I once heard the antidote to being overwhelmed is not rest, but wholeheartedness.”

In an industry catering to a world population that is expected to grow to 10 billion people by 2050, there’s certainly a lot to think about. “The big question our industry faces is how do we deliver more with less of everything: less time, less resources,” Tracy says. “Our ability to answer this question in any effective way will require everyone in the industry to unlearn muscle memory, rethink how we design, and build a better future for our next generation.” plangrid.com/au

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Michael Cusack See the world through the eyes of an abstract artist WO R D S C A S S I E H AY WO O D

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ever paint around the edges of paintings. Don’t eat fish on a Monday and don’t discover a subject of any kind,” Michael replies when asked about his philosophy on life. It’s this unique perspective of the world — he finds inspiration in scuff marks, 14th-century Byzantium history and the writings of Samuel Beckett — that makes Michael’s abstract art so captivating.

Growing up in Ireland, and inspired by literary Irish greats like James Joyce and Beckett, Michael developed a deep appreciation of language and its limits, and visual arts was an extension of this. After emigrating to Australia and graduating from Newcastle TAFE while working at a petrol station to make ends meet, the luck of the Irish and hard work scored him one of his first exhibitions with Nick Mitzevich (now director of NGA, Canberra). After this first exhibition, the only direction for Michael was up; he featured in the Brian Moore Gallery, then Martin Browne Gallery and is now exhibiting at the Olsen Gallery.

Since graduating recently with a Master of Visual Arts degree from the Queensland College of Art, Michael enjoys simply being in the studio. He works mainly in oils but also creates with mixed media, keeps journals and draws to work through ideas. Inquisitive to the core, it’s his curiosity that pushes him to create the new from the unique.

“I’m fascinated by discoveries — how liquid, lumpy paint can form, how materials are created and ideas are built,” he explains. “I love the freedom and the futility of it. It might not always be stable but there are always possibilities.”

The paintings that stand out the most to Michael are those he’s bonded with, but that doesn’t mean there’s a rhyme or rhythm. “You can make relationships with paintings for the oddest reasons. Something that I worked on for a long time or only 15 minutes,” he says. “I remember where paintings were made, whether a basement at home or an attic in a holiday house. They are reminders of times in my life, where I was and what was going on around me. They act as a sort of journal, but at the same time aren’t necessarily about anything.”

Drawn to the beautiful yet broken, like an old camera or number counter, as well as the commanding shapes of furniture that “make great silhouettes for paintings”, Michael’s style can be eclectic. He lives and breathes art, always creating, forever exploring ideas and daily “painting my way into and out of trouble”.

Continuing to teach, exhibit and travel with residencies are his current plans. Next time you’re at a gallery and spot the name, remember to pause and see the world through the eyes of this abstract artist. michaelcusack.net.au

I N P RO F I LE

MICHAEL SAYS “I’m fascinated by discoveries — how liquid, lumpy paint can form, how materials are created and ideas are built”

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The brief

STUDENT INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS 2019 Up-and-coming designers put their skills to the test, designing the perfect space for families to use in the Ronald McDonald Family Room

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Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) is an independent charity that helps families of seriously ill children. “We help keep families together and close to the care their child needs.”

The cornerstone program of RMHC, the Ronald McDonald House®, provides a “home away from home” for families of sick children being treated at nearby hospitals. In 1981, the first Australian Ronald McDonald House opened in Sydney’s Camperdown. There are now 16 Ronald McDonald Houses in Australia and more than 360 houses worldwide.

The student project this year will be redesigning the Family Room. The Ronald McDonald Family Room® is a relaxing haven in hospitals giving families a break from the stress of many hours spent by their child’s bedside. These spaces are a warm and welcoming home away from home inside the hospital, away from the clinical environment of the wards. Managed by volunteers, the Family Rooms contain lounge areas, sleeping rooms, laundries, cooking facilities and more, meaning there is always somewhere the family can unwind. Whether it’s a place for the kids to play or a sanctuary for mum and dad, Family Rooms are for the whole family.

The centre will provide support to empower, enrich and impel the families through active information services and resources, allowing urban escapism. The social, mental and physical support that is required needs to have a non-threatening holistic approach. As technology infiltrates our lives, the need for communication and gatherings is more important than ever. Traditional methods of communication are being eroded through today’s overwhelming pressure of society. The Family Unit will offer a sense of purpose, balance and motivation.

LEFT TO RIGHT Judges John Eussen, Naomi Brand, Juniper Sikora and Courtney Meyer

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SP ON S OR E D STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION 2019

JOINT WINNER: ANITA JUSTINA — BILLY BLUE COLLEGE OF DESIGN AT TORRENS UNIVERSITY, SYDNEY Family support can have an enormous impact on a person’s recovery in hospital, particularly for children. A Space for All the Family enables families to stay with and/or visit the child on the ward for a day or an extended period of time. The design extends the immediate family’s community by developing a shared hospital community within. Thoughtfully designed, dedicated spaces allow interaction between families, and for those who need time to themselves, an opportunity to have some personal space.

A kids’ play zone with an acoustic panel in the form of a fuzzy felt play wall; a quiet zone for teenagers or breastfeeding mothers; living and dining zones; and laundry facilities all benefit the guests

who visit the space. The design of A Space for All the Family encourages wellness.

Bursts of orange have been used in the rooms, a colour known to be an uplifting and energising colour. A fully equipped kitchen also allows for home-cooked meals to be made and shared, creating a community feel and caring for the wellbeing of families and carers.

A Space for All the Family provides an opportunity for three different families to stay overnight on the ward. Children can feel secure knowing they have family nearby, and carers can have peace of mind knowing they’re just metres from their child.

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JOINT WINNER: BRITTANY KIEGALDIE — RMIT, MELBOURNE Carapace: defined as the protective shell of many living organisms, this idea becomes a metaphor for Ronald McDonald House. Carapace aims to create a safe haven and respite for children and their families as they deal with the challenges and stresses of serious illnesses. Carapace creates a sense of calm and protection from the struggles of the outside world.

Once inside, they are immediately taken up by the soft movement created through architectural features as if wrapped in a warm embrace.

Feelings of familiarity and protection are conjured through the use of curves, while smooth, hard finishes reflect the tangible materiality of a shell in a more literal sense. The colour palette inspired by life and nature emphasises the soothing atmosphere and juxtaposes the austere environment the children and their families have to face. A harmonic balance between respite and playful distraction, Carapace provides a space in which they can be momentarily free from trauma. It becomes their armour with which to cope, just as a carapace is in nature.

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JOINT WINNER: CERI FARROKHNIA — COLLARTS, MELBOURNE My design concept for the Ronald McDonald Family Room was to calm, distract and refresh its visitors at a time when families really need a space to step away from their reality. It creates and embraces the feeling of familiarity; it is casual, informal and friendly, but primarily it is welcoming to all. There’s a place to eat and play, and a private room to escape for a while. The colours are the essence of the concept where a gentle rainbow of hopeful finishes provides a landing place within the hospital to restore energy levels, gather momentum and reclaim strength for another day or hour.

JOINT WINNER: ISABELLE HOFFMANN — HOLMESGLEN, MELBOURNE The design theme is the tree of life — a symbol of family connection, growth, strength and the uniqueness of every person. Plants and trees bring life into the house to give an indoor/outdoor feel. Not only aesthetically pleasing, the greenery will also increase the air quality and help lower blood pressure, increase wellbeing and improve children’s concentration.

The colour palette of blues and greens evokes calmness and has a positive psychological effect.

Warm timber panels bring a natural and modern look to the design. Natural materials like sisal carpet, which is a recyclable material and great for hightraffic areas, allergies and increasing the air quality, are used throughout.

The design includes private bedrooms and ensuites,

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as well as communal living, dining, kitchen and laundry areas. Communal spaces create a shared living experience and give the occupants the opportunity to come into contact with other families. Breakout areas allow family members to invest in their personal wellbeing, whether by enjoying a nice movie in the cinema, a cup of tea on the balcony, reading a book in the library or watching the kids run around in the indoor/ outdoor play area.

Ultimately, the house will be a safe place for families where they “don´t have to be, but want to be”. The space will be calm, welcoming and somewhere families feel they can escape their stressful reality. The wellbeing and health of the people staying in the facility is the design’s main focus. The home will offer an escape in various ways, offering them the opportunity to enjoy some spare time while staying close to the hospital.

SP ON S OR E D STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION 2019 HIGHLY COMMENDED: DOMINIQUE SCHEFE — BILLY BLUE COLLEGE OF DESIGN AT TORRENS UNIVERSITY, SYDNEY Nido derives from the Italian word meaning “nest” and is designed to evoke feelings of safety as well as comfort. The standalone structure is designed to organically interconnect three main areas: the nourishing community kitchen, the refreshing rest and shower facilities with disability access, and the creative relaxation zone.

Studies show that the active qualities of art therapy — making, doing, arranging, moulding and constructing — are valuable in alleviating the feeling of helplessness often associated with hospitalisation. The resulting creation becomes important, not only for the communication of feelings and experiences, but as a visible and external record of self. By implementing a journal where guests can share their stories, people from all walks of life will be connected. When writing isn’t possible, activities such as painting, drawing and pottery will be possible within the space.

A play on curved form is used throughout the design. In the living space it allows for a slight separation, while still being connected within the same environment. This living area will be a technology-free zone, encouraging the importance of communication both verbal, emotional and physical. Light will beam through the surrounding large glass windows, further warming the under-heated stone flooring and bringing the outside in. Linear horizontal lines of the custom bench seating, kitchen cabinetry and curved bookcase refer to the nest concept.

A canvas material has been chosen for the elaborate, peaked roof so that when it rains, guests can experience the comforting sound of rain on a tent. Ideally this project will be located on a private property close to the hospital facilities to allow for solitude and sanctuary.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: KATE LENNON — BILLY BLUE COLLEGE OF DESIGN AT TORRENS UNIVERSITY, QUEENSLAND The “For You” design is a space that utilises natural elements and textures to create a calming and stable environment for those seeking comfort and control in overwhelming situations. The soft, neutral finishes accompanied by the diversity of features throughout the apartment allow a range of individuals the freedom to make the space their own.

The flexibility of the design ensures it can be applied to a range of locations while still achieving the desired result.

Due to the use of sustainable materials and products, the design is one that allows for optimal longevity and durability, allowing the space to be one in which minimal extra costs are needed.

The space caters for multiple and diverse families to utilise and adapt, while suiting their personal needs and allowing a reprieve from the hospital environment.

The special configuration of the design creates a harmonious flow throughout the apartment, while still ensuring that each room has a level of privacy or achieves a particular purpose. The chosen furniture and fixtures allow for a versatile use of the space, while also ensuring it functions optimally.

The design incorporates a separate room that captures the concept and intention of the entire apartment — The You Room. Natural light throughout the space creates a very bright and warm atmosphere.

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indoor + out

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F E AT U R E GO WITH THE FLOW

CREATING MOMENTUM There’s not one single reason to create an indoor space that connects to the outdoors — there are many. Whether you have a breathtaking view, you love entertaining or you simply want to maximise every centimetre of your property, get back to nature by blurring the line between indoors and out WO RDS C ASS I E H AY WO OD

Photography by Toby Scott. jrarch.com.au

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TOP Photography by Scott Burrows. lockyerarchitects.com.au ABOVE Photography by Cathy Schusler. lockyerarchitects.com.au BELOW & OPPOSITE Doors open wide to embrace the rock garden and outdoors. Photography by Tess Kelly. maynardarchitects.com

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lessed with incredible weather and picture-perfect landscapes, Australians are drawn to the great outdoors, so it’s no surprise that homeowners are building houses with indoor-outdoor flow in mind. Warm summer nights mean outdoor entertaining, and ease of access to the exterior area will determine the frequency of its use.

A streamlined movement from inside to out means a space feels larger, is flooded with light and is intimately connected to nature. With so many benefits, the question isn’t whether to create flow, but how?

Like all good design, it starts with what you’re working with and what you want from your indoor/outdoor zones.

Are you an entertainer at heart with a coastal home? Alfresco dining might be a great set-up, but don’t forget the power of the sun and include a motorised outdoor awning for shade.

Short of space and wanting a tranquil haven? A bedroom opening up to a private courtyard filled with greenery and an outdoor shower or spa can be the ultimate relaxation spot.

“We need to rethink how we define space, how we value it and why we do what we do,” says Shaun Lockyer, director of Shaun Lockyer Architects. “We need some rigour in the decision-making process and clients (and architects) must be brave to initiate this change to make sure we build more engaged, connected, sustainable and memorable spaces, be they inside or out.”

Don’t let your outdoor space be an afterthought. Planning your connected spaces early on in the process is always infinitely easier. An add-on room can still flow, but building with that idea in mind ensures a natural progression from inside to out.

Indoor-outdoor flow is often tied to blurring a boundary between the two so it feels easy to be doing life outside. Start with windows or doors that open right up. Bifold windows or doors are one of the most popular choices and can clear a whole wall. Mark Austin, co-director of Austin Maynard Architects, cautions against bifold windows in areas where the weather is unpredictable or cold. “Sometimes a large fixed window is a better option, as frequently chilly or rainy weather can mean this feature is only open for part of the year, and the rest of the year your view of the garden would be impeded by door frames and mullions,” he says. A more affordable option is ranch sliders, which can flood a space with light and simply offer a smaller entry to the outside.

Whatever your budget, you can’t underestimate the power of a well-lit, ventilated and accessible space. Have a look at the shape of your home in relation to the backyard, as corner sliding windows or doors can significantly open up a room and allow you to better enjoy the view.

Materials matter too, and keeping a consistency throughout the spaces can subtly tie them together. A kitchen benchtop that appears to seamlessly continue to the outdoors with the same colour and top offers options to barbecue in the sun or cook indoors. There’s no rule that says the style has to be exactly the same, either. For example, continuing the contemporary, natural lines of a living room to the

F E AT U R E GO WITH THE FLOW

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Photography by Peter Bennetts. maynardarchitects.com

Rock, wood and concrete create an earthy feel in this kitchen. Photography by Toby Scott. jrarch.com.au

a little luxury Outdoor living and luxury living have become more entwined as technology and design have developed, bringing the finer things of life to the table. “Extra zones that weren’t previously popular are now in vogue, with outdoor kitchens, wine fridges, firepits, outdoor TVs, bars and pool tables now featuring in many homes,” Shaun notes. “We need to design homes that speak to the wonder of our location.

It’s on the threshold between the built form and nature that the magic happens!”

Photography by Cathy Schusler. lockyerarchitects.com.au

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Similar materials and colours connect these two spaces.

Photography by Toby Scott. jrarch.com.au

Billowing curtains soften sunlight and strong winds. Photography by Cathy Schusler. lockyerarchitects.com.au

FE AT UR E GO WITH THE FLOW

outdoor lounging area with timber furniture and neutral hues in different styles can be perfectly complementary. Consider your flooring and move up from there with rugs, furniture materials, wall colours, doorway and window frames, even lighting.

Nature can be harsh, so take into account the location and angle of your indoor/outdoor space. Be weather-aware and consider how light falls on the home. “Understanding place is integral to the use of all spaces, particularly those that sit on the edge or within a landscape,” notes Christopher Furminger of James Russell Architect. “Understanding the direction of cold winter breezes, warm morning sun and a shading spot at midday is key to the success of occupiable outdoor space.”

Glass balustrades can help block strong ocean breezes, while tall trees bordering your property can encourage privacy.

Don’t forget to stay sun safe by incorporating adequate shading into your home. Retractable shading options mean you can make the most of the winter sun while being protected from strong sunlight in summer.

The backyard or deck should ideally be on ground level with the internal area. A step out the door is considerably more accessible than steps leading up or down to the external lounge area, and makes carrying food or drinks easier.

Another helpful tip for indoor or outdoor spaces: good lighting is essential. Natural lighting is perfect for daytime, but for those warm nights when you want to enjoy good company outside, a face-to-face conversation is best enjoyed when you can see more than a metre away. Soft fairy lights or lanterns can create a festive and relaxed ambience, but stronger pendants or spotlights are ideal for larger family gatherings.

Choosing the right furniture to complement the home, create accessibility to a space and add that wow factor is a must. Choose furniture you can sink into that is luxuriously comfortable, durable and stylish to take the space from beautiful to liveable. Think couches with soft pillows and warm throws for cooler nights. Base your outdoor living around a feature, whether that be the view, a coffee table or a fire element.

Even if the novelty of these spaces wears off, it can be a central space to enjoy conversation while being comfy or awed by the scenery.

And don’t think you have to be outside to enjoy nature. Integrated seating by the window means you can be close to all the amenities while feeling the breeze on your face. The romantic notion of a reading nook can be a reality, too, where you can enjoy good (or bad) weather from inside. But why not venture outside? It’s always a weekend treat to be curled up with a good book and the soft light warming your body. Did someone say daybeds?

Equip your space with fans or heaters for comfortable outdoor living. Photography by Cathy Schusler. lockyerarchitects.com.au

coshliving.com.au

This home literally brings nature inside.

Photography by Toby Scott. jrarch.com.au

luxaflex.com.au

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PUTTING TWO AND TWO GETHER nfortunately, there’s no single formula for creating indoor-outdoor flow. Look at each space as one component of a whole and create cohesion with every line of sight, material continuity or blurred boundary. “Try to think of spaces as neither indoor nor outdoor, but rather as flexible and appropriate to function and qualitative agenda,” Shaun says.

“Our homes should talk to our lives rather than a prescribed formula that has for too long defined how our homes are planned.” With this idea in mind, let’s hone in on specific rooms and consider how to bring a sense of flow between spaces.

Think about your interactions with friends and family — gathering around the table for dinner or going for coffee with a friend. So much entertaining revolves around food or drink.

Consequently, your biggest requisite for entertaining easily is having the kitchen at close quarters. Whether your lifestyle calls for an alfresco kitchen equipped with the latest and greatest appliances, or a kitchen just inside the doors for easy access to all the scrumptious food, keep it near. An easy indoor-kitchento-outdoor-dining path is the best way to ensure you use the space to its full potential.

One idea we love is using bifold half-windows to create a servery so the food can be taken straight from interior benchtop to alfresco table. For an outdoor kitchen, make sure you choose durable materials and appliances that can handle the elements and remain looking as good as new.

Good outdoor dining or living requires a happy combination of tasty food and the right furniture. Include a mixture of sofas, chairs and tables so you can sit, eat, drink and relax with everything at hand. Gas heaters, mosquito screens and shading systems are helpful for hours of entertaining bliss, whatever the season or weather. Drop-down screens are versatile enough so they can be lowered to cover the blinding sun at different times of day or open up an area to the light. There are many different options, whether you want a retractable arm shading system, fixed shading, eaves or motorised louvres.

You don’t have to situate your outdoor space on a deck, either.

“A deck can distance a garden from an interior and fill up with furniture that blocks the view and connection with the garden,” says Mark. Placing your outdoor living in the actual garden can be another option to really dwell in the outdoors, with spaced pavers an option for alleviating potential heel sinkage.

TOP LEFT A circular building shape offers incredible views from all angles. Photography by Derek Swalwell. maynardarchitects.com LEFT Open to the air, this moody bathroom embraces the elements and a bit of natural luxury. Designed by Melissa Bonney. Photography by Jessie Prince. apaiser.com

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FE AT UR E GO WITH THE FLOW

ABOVE & BELOW Cooking, dining and living spaces are open to the sky but protected from ďŹ erce mosquitoes by screens.

Photography by Toby Scott. jrarch.com.au

Photography by Cathy Schusler. lockyerarchitects.com.au

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Photography by Jessie Prince. apaiser.com

Photography by Scott Burrows. lockyerarchitects.com.au

coshliving.com.au

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ABOVE Bushland outlooks mean nature’s always close by.

Photography by Scott Burrows. lockyerarchitects.com.au

There’s something alluring about the concept of an outdoor bathroom. It’s like being in your own private bubble in which you can enjoy long evenings with longer baths, or breathing in the fresh air while slowly waking up with a morning shower. You can’t help but think of large tiles, smooth pebbles scattered around the pavers and lush plants draped over the side of a wall.

You don’t need a lot of space for an outdoor bathroom and connecting it to a bedroom doubles privacy with outdoor flow. The right drainage system will ensure any excess water will dissipate effortlessly, leaving your space shiny and new.

Outdoor bathrooms exude an earthy naturalness confined within your own private space. We’ve seen it done best with shiny fittings, natural stone bathtubs, matt pavers and leafy foliage. Your bedroom will also have a beautiful view, considerably better than a fence.

If your outdoor space is limited, consider options like internal courtyard areas whereby the outside is actually on the inside. A garden centred in a home with a water feature serves nature up right under your nose. Kitchen, living and bedroom areas can all open up to this green space for a peaceful ambience and seamless inside-outside flow. The versatility in design and form is endless, with imagination your only limit. Whether a small outdoor room next to the kitchen with a single seat and open roof to allow more light into a space, or a spacious internal courtyard that’s the passageway around the home, internal courtyards make a fantastic feature. They need to be designed as their own room or with structural elements to keep any rain or cold winds from ruining indoor areas. Look for plants that can thrive in the specific conditions and bring a bit of green envy home. As a bonus, plants can cool down a hot spot to act as a natural air conditioner.

Indoor-outdoor flow will look different for every home.

Whether you’re on acreage or have a tiny floor plan and want to create this connection, many of the same principles apply — openness, continuity of material and colour, liveability and, we believe, food. Be creative, and whether you’re switching up your existing home or building a new one, maximise your space and get back to good ol’ nature.

F E AT U R E GO WITH THE FLOW

case study Double Life House is a prime example of architecture that connects to land and draws its inhabitants into nature. Breathe Architecture designed this narrow, inner-city residence to be spatially efficient yet seemingly limitless, connecting to a series of external courtyards and surrounding landscapes. Natural light and ventilation go deep into the home through a kitchen and dining area that opens to a north-facing courtyard. Each room offers a meaningful outlook into the landscape or garden. External stairs lead to another outdoor terrace connected to the main bedroom.

Carefully considered windows capture the canopy of an old ash tree outside. A bathroom is surrounded by greenery with a shower that opens up to the sky. Cohesive of a robust, honest material palette, the Breathe Architecture design team describe the brick tile as “offering a robust flooring solution while blurring the boundaries and creating a seamless connection between inside and out.” As the final touch to this home, plants were brought indoors to blur the boundary between garden and house.

THIS PAGE Double Life House by Breathe Architecture.

Photography by Katherine Lu. breathe.com.au

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JAPANESE FUSION Asian influences combined with a natural palette ensure a simple, sleek aesthetic

INSPO: Asian-style interiors instantly evoke an image of serenity and tranquillity, in particular those with a Japanese influence.

Harmony and balance blend with precision and clean lines to create a soothing, striking interior. Visual and textural, a Japanese-fusion interior is innately simple and seemingly effortless, with clean and well-defined straight lines, minimalist decorations and sleek symmetry.

NATIONAL TILES & GRAND DESIGNS: Grand Designs has partnered exclusively with National Tiles to create the stunning Capsule Collection of high-quality, affordable tiles and flooring. All products are hand-picked according to Grand Designs’ ethos and principles, allowing you to create your own grand design at home with National Tiles.

The procurement team travels overseas several times a year, working closely with supply partners and design teams to source new manufacturers and offer Australians the best possible tiles available.

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THE COLOURS: The colours of nature work best in a Japanesefusion interior, mixing shades of green and grey with black and white for a dramatic effect and a relaxed ambience.

THE COLLECTION: JAPANESE IMPRESSION The Japanese Impression series is inspired by Japanese Raku ware with its rich colour variation and irresistible crackle glaze. The collection is made up of small-format stick mosaics in a stackbond pattern with five speckled colourways with a subtle antique edge.

It’s spectacular for bathrooms, kitchens, features and splashbacks, laid in a horizontal or vertical pattern.

ABOVE & BELOW Japanese Impression Snow Sticks Mosaic

YAKI The Yaki tile collection is inspired by the ancient Japanese art of Yakisugi or Shou Sugi Ban. The surface design emulates the deep blacks and weathered whites created by this beautifully decorative technique.

With a tactile, craquelure surface that catches and refracts light, the porcelain Yaki series is striking yet warm, with a modern elegance.

Available in three sizes with designs that include both planks and parquetry, the Yaki series is ideal for creating dramatic, contemporary interiors steeped in tradition. It’s suitable for walls and floors.

Made in Italy and exclusive to National Tiles.

WANT MORE INFO? W nationaltiles.com.au P 1300 733 000 I instagram.com/nationaltilesau F facebook.com/NationalTilesAustralia

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ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN

L

uke Fry Architecture & Interior Design is a multi-award winning, boutique studio based in Melbourne. Luke and his team have completed numerous, multifaceted projects, from re-inventing Art Deco residences to designing contemporary new structures and functional retail and hospitality venues. Approaching each project with considered thinking, Luke and his team bring to the table knowledge, skills, a deep understanding of design principals and a remarkable ability to transform ideas into great spaces.

The Torquay Beach House is a new contemporary home which celebrates raw concrete and exposed brick, then layered with Japanese charred timber battens. It subtly references to Palm Springs midcentury modernism and contemporary pavilion structures, challenging the idea of a coastal home.

The Torquay Beach House has large floor to ceiling glass doors opening out onto cantilevered concrete decks which take in the views. A brand-new home for a retiring couple which makes to most of the 180-degree uninterrupted views across nearby wetlands and sand dunes. Raw concrete floors, natural stone benches and light oak joinery adorn the interiors to creature a soft, neutral interior.

www.lukefry.com.au | +61 3 9041 7542 | @lukefry_architecture

Photographer: Damien Kook

Houses Indulge in the cream of the architecture crop

Photography Elsa Young

62 Dee Why House 75 Shipping Container House 84 Villa Cinquecento 94 The Ash 110 Hidden House 122 Torquay House 134 House Freyer

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TV HOU SE DEE WHY

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THE MOTHER OF INVENTION An ideas man, a cracking view and a novel building system walk into a bar. The result? A dream home WO R D S A N G E L A YO U N G P H O T O G R A P H Y R H I A N N O N S L AT T E R

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ED I TO R ’ S FAVO U R I TE THE FLOATING JARRAH STAIRCASE

Craig and Barbara Chalk with Peter Maddison

hen Craig and Barbara Chalk embarked on their project — with no architect or builder enlisted to help them — it’s fair to say they rather underestimated the challenge they faced. Moving out of their “hodge podge” property in Easter 2015, little did they know it would be another four years before they’d move back in to their dream four-storey home.

The couple — owners of a pet accessory business and parents to two teenagers and a kelpie — tell me they finally made their first break on their spanking new pool table the night before we meet. “That was the first time I’ve actually started to relax and enjoy the house,” Craig says.

A stubborn streak and inclination for inventions meant Craig was keen not only to tackle this gargantuan knockdown rebuild on his own (“I think it’s because I think I can do everything, and why would I get somebody else to do something I can do?”) but also to inject some truly original touches in the shape of an innovative new building method, and a massive multistorey trapdoor-accessed workshop. Ambitious was, as Peter Maddison pointed out, an understatement.

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T V H OUS E DEE WHY

DETA ILS HOUSE Dee Why LOCATION Sydney, NSW DATE COMMENCED April 2015 DATE COMPLETED April 2019 BUDGET $1.9m FINAL COST $2.3m

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A large blacony off the kitchen and dining space offers more sea views

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Craig’s pre-fab interlocking wall and flooring system — essentially “stay-in-place form work” with the segments prepared in China and shipped to Sydney — was designed to be quicker, cheaper and more versatile than standard offform construction.

“I researched different block methods and in the end I thought, no, doing hollow panels and filling with concrete, that’s got to be a good system. So I took off down that track.”

If it sounds complicated, it really isn’t, the Chalks assure me — it’s a bit like Lego or a jigsaw — though it wasn’t without its problems. In the unlikely event they use it again (the couple say they will never build another house!), they’d use a normal fibre-cement sheet instead of compressed fibre.

“You need something a little more flexible, that bends perhaps, but doesn’t crack,” Barbara says, adding that a couple did indeed crack.

Complexities aside, the pair are more than happy with their finished family home. The views from the large master bedroom (one of the reasons Craig eschewed an architect was a reluctance to accept their suggestions, particularly regarding the size of his slumber

T V H OUS E DEE WHY

“I THINK IT’S BECAUSE I THINK I CAN DO EVERYTHING, AND WHY WOULD I GET SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO SOMETHING I CAN DO?” – CRAIG CHALK

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“I’VE NEVER HAD ANYWHERE TO STORE WINE BUT NOW I’VE GOT THIS PERFECTTEMPERATURE CELLAR” – BARBARA CHALK

space) are simply breathtaking, across the shimmering waters of Dee Why Lagoon. Craig intends to luxuriate in these views from his custom-made ensuite bath, inspired by influential Swiss architect Le Corbusier. “I have to make my own bath — I couldn’t just buy a bath off the shelf!”

Craig laughs. “It is so comfortable.”

It’s these unique touches that really make this place.

Granite stair treads from India. That awesome and bizarre workshop trapdoor system. The large fish tank that greets you upon entering, instilling a sense of calm (despite early water discoloration problems thanks to tannins leaching from the wood). The spacious study nook nestled alongside, designed to ensure Barbara isn’t too far from family while working at home.

The airy, open-plan living space offers more fantastic coastal views, as well as a great-size north-facing balcony, below which sits the back garden, mainly for use by the lower granny flat section of the property.

Unusually for the New South Wales climate, Craig and Barbara opted for an indoor pool off the media room, complete with climbing wall and sauna, so leisure time is well covered. Barbara even has a little bonus: thanks to

excavators taking more than planned from the sandstone cliff in which the house sits, she has her very own stylish (and genuinely atmospheric) wine cellar.

“It’s my baby. I’ve never had anywhere to store wine but now I’ve got this perfect-temperature cellar, so I’m just gonna buy a few nice drops that need to be cellared before they’re drunk.”

It sounds divine, so was it worth it? For two and a half years Craig was pulling 12-hour days, between the house and the business, and the health toll was serious; three years in he suffered a stroke.

“Starting again is a lot of work,” Barbara says. “A lot more work that goes into building a house than you think.”

Craig has certainly reassessed his “I can do everything” attitude. “Now I’m quite happy to get other people to come in and do stuff. I’ve been cured of that!” he says. “We’ll never build another house,” he adds adamantly, though he does have some advice for those embarking on similar projects: plan, plan and plan some more.

“I’d put a massive effort into making sure the plans are as detailed and as finished and polished as they possibly could be. Especially scheduling tradies.”

ABOVE Barbara’s custom wine cellar was an accidental bonus in the design OPPOSITE The Chalks were determined to have a good size bedroom, complete with walk-in wardrobe

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P R OJE C T T E A M PLANS Rapid Plans LANDSCAPING Sentosa Gardens

SERVICES Solar installer Solarpro Air conditioning Trade Winds Air Conditioning Engineering Gilcon Engineering Carpentry Premium Projects Plumbing Troy Jones Plumbing Electrical BOC Electrical Pool and spa Better Pools and Spa Lighting Light Up Balgowlah Waterproofing Waterproofing Direct Lift Choice Lifts Painting Empire Brush Works FIXTURES & FITTINGS Flooring King Cork and Timber Tiles ColorTile Brookvale Window frames YY Windows

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Kitchen Woodstone Kitchens Carpet Chapmans Carpets Bathroom cabinets/joinery CIBO Design Pty Ltd Bathtubs Harvey Norman Sauna Precision Saunas Home cinema and speakers Electronics at Home Ceiling heaters on deck Heat Strip Classic Woodstove Skantherm Elements FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS Slab dining table, desk and wine rack JPM Hardwood Furniture Fish tank Malawi Cichlids World Appliances V-ZUG

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L E GEN D 1 Pool plant 2 Hall 3 Granny flat kitchen/ dining/living 4 Bedroom 5 WIR 6 Ensuite 7 Store 8 Linen 9 Lift 10 Sauna 11 Pool 12 Spa 13 Guest 14 Deck 15 Bedroom 2 16 Bedroom 3 17 Laundry/linen/ store 18 Bathroom 19 WC

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TV/lounge Entry Bedroom Dining Kitchen Pantry Garage Laundry/store Master bedroom 29 Outer lawned area

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W E LOV E THE 16M INDOOR POOL WITH ITS OWN SPA, SAUNA AND CLIMBING WALL

RIGHT The homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rear garden is complemented by an attractive tumbling rock feature

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Colour Palette A white shell showcases the gorgeous jarrah timber flooring and stairs. Tones of citrine glow from the fish tank and couch.

Smoky quartz appears in the sofa and carpet.

The result is a warm contemporary space where block highlights work to anchor the project

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01/ Kimberley painting by Andrea Edwards. artloversaustralia.com.au 02/ LEDlux Contempo pendant in brushed chrome. beaconlighting.com.au 03/ Essente stainless steel square gooseneck pull out mixer. oliveri.com.au 04/ Monarch shiitake dining table. crateandbarrel.com 05/ Denner bar stool by Resort Living. zanui.com.au 06/ Supreme Presto surface. austaron.com.au

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P R OJ E CT SHIPPING CONTAINER HOUSE

CONTAIN YOURSELF When the only way is up, say “no” to vertigo and “hello” to sky-high family living WO R D S LO U I S E S M I T H E R S P H O T O G R A P H Y M I C H A E L N I KO U

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DETA ILS HOUSE Shipping Container House LOCATION Adelaide, SA

Decks ensure outside leisure space for the family

The eight shipping containers are clad in Cemintel Barestone

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nce considered an architectural novelty, the shipping containerturned-modern-home trend shows no signs of abating. Here to prove and reinforce the humble shipping container’s staying power is a four-level home like no other. Constructed using eight vertically stacked containers clad in Cemintel Barestone, the unusual home is winning over neighbours and leaving passers-by in awe.

Measuring a tiny 90sqm and crowned Adelaide’s “smallest block”, there was barely enough room to swing the proverbial cat when Robert van Gorp bought the vacant lot in 2011.

Far from feeling claustrophobic and anxious about the limitations of such a small block, a love of Japanese micro-homes meant Robert couldn’t have been more excited.

Hoping to create a private space that felt open and made the most of the surrounding cityscape, Robert enlisted architect Damien Chwalisz to take his dream from fantasy to high-rise reality. “My father and I handled all the planning and execution of the intricate build,” he explains. “People think building with shipping containers is easy, but that’s not the case when you’re trying to utilise every millimetre.”

Like the ebb and flow of the tide, Robert’s brief changed regularly — from commercial and residential to apartments and a townhouse — until a single dwelling was decided upon, in part so costs and the number of tradies on site could be kept in check.

“Using shipping containers allowed me to perform a lot of the structural work off-site,” Robert says. With all the steel work and major components fabricated in a factory, a high level of execution was secured.

The towering home is roomy enough to accommodate Robert and his wife Mia along with their young son Locke and two Italian greyhounds, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a combined kitchen, living and dining area, a sunroom and two outdoor decks.

P R OJ E CT SHIPPING CONTAINER HOUSE The structure stands tall and proud in the urban landscape

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BOTTOM LEFT Clean lines in the kitchen make it a stylish but practical space

Full-height windows measuring 2m wide by 2.5m high give the illusion of volume and work in conjunction with a cantilevered staircase with hand-shaped treads (made from 600mm recycled I-beams) to exploit the rather limited floor space.

Thinking outside the square, quite literally, the master bathroom snatches much-needed space and gorgeous views with its shower and bath cantilevered 6m off the ground.

Whether reading the Sunday paper, devouring his favourite author’s latest novel or simply taking in the 360-degree city views, one of Robert’s favourite spots is the reading room. He also loves the front gate, or “green gate”, which acts as a living, moving element breathing life into the building.

High-performing foil board insulation installed externally helps the structure achieve maximum thermal value. This method is similar to the insulation style favoured in parts of Europe, whereby external insulation stops heat entering rather than trying to beat the heat once it has penetrated indoors.

Countless hours and too many litres of blood, sweat and tears to mention went into the completion of this special project. “My dad sliced his finger as we were cutting 5m lengths of solid redwood for the front door,” Robert recalls.

“He thought he’d almost taken his finger off (he passes out at the sight of blood) but the cut turned out to be not much more than a paper cut.” Ouch. Paper cuts aside…

Sporting a tiny footprint that has an enormous impact, Shipping Container House performs even better than Robert imagined. “I had a strong desire to create and build a home to provide for the needs of my family. I also wanted to inspire my family to realise that with great determination they can achieve great things.”

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P R OJ E CT SHIPPING CONTAINER HOUSE

EDI TO R â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S FAVO U R I TE THE READING ROOM WITH 360-DEGREE CITY VIEWS

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LEFT & OPPOSITE Both the bathroom and the ensuite are beautifully tiled and they’re flooded with natural light

LE GE N D 1 Entry 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4 Bathroom 5 Rainwater tank 6 Kitchen 7 Dining 8 Living 9 Balcony 10 Master bedroom 11 Ensuite 12 Bathing area 13 WIR 14 Rooftop garden 15 Reading room

“USING SHIPPING CONTAINERS ALLOWED ME TO PERFORM A LOT OF THE STRUCTURAL WORK OFF-SITE” – ROBERT VAN GORP P ROJ E C T T E AM ARCHITECT Damien Chwalisz, damienchwalisz.com.au

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W E LOVE THE CANTILEVERED SHOWER AND BATH IN THE MASTER BATHROOM

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P ROJECT SHIPPING CONTAINER HOUSE

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04 Colour Palette Simple light timber flooring and white walls form a shell for a cool and calm palette of sea greens and blues with pops of greenery scattered throughout and the occasional black fixture

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01/ Home Republic Ashton hanging plant coin leaves. adairs.com.au 02/ Royal Celeste tile. nationaltiles.com.au 03/ Pina twin shower in matt black. phoenixtapware.com.au 04/ Habitat Sahara bathroom accessories. pillowtalk.com.au 05/ Vivid Slimline Plus basin set in brushed gold. phoenixtapware.com.au 06/ Homey round benchmount washbasin. rogerseller.com.au 07/ Australian lemon myrtle blend handwash. thedesignedit.com.au

THE BEST IN

BUDAPEST! Behold the modern villa that responds to its wooded hillside locale and answers all its ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domestic desires WO R D S LO U I S E S M I T H E R S P H O T O G R A P H Y TA M A S B UJ N OV S Z K Y

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OV E R SE AS P R OJ E CT VILLA CINQUECENTO

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A creative integration of garage into garden

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ocated in Buda, the capital of ancient Hungary, Villa Cinquecento is a multi-residential home that has transformed an unfinished building site into a prime piece of real estate.

Working with the foundations and basement walls already in place, Napur Architect has developed a new building with three apartments. The client is well versed in current architectural trends and requested high-quality, innovative architectural and interior design.

Determined to reside in a home both powerful and cosy, he ordered an elegant structure with clean lines and spatial connection where his family could lay down roots.

“The client had a good understanding of architecture and design taste,” says Marcel Ferencz, lead architect and owner of Napur Architect. “It’s rare to find a client who likes and respects architecture. Without these traits, the high quality of design could not be achieved.”

Named after the owner’s love for the Fiat Cinquecento and his classic Fiat 500 Nuova,

OV E R S E A S P R OJ E CT VILLA CINQUECENTO

D E TAI LS HOUSE Villa Cinquecento LOCATION Budapest, Hungary DATE COMMENCED 2015 DATE COMPLETED 2017 FINAL COST €1,500,000 (approximately $2,450,000)

which has pride of place in its own garage at the front of the property, the home reflects unpretentious refinement.

The villa’s ground floor plays host to a pair of two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments (with side and rear gardens) that the owner rents out. The upper floor is reserved for an intimate family apartment with private garden and superb views.

Like most ambitious builds, challenges were never far away. One of the major structural issues on this project occurred when a large chunk of shear wall was removed from the staircase. This was by no means the only obstacle the architects faced. “The building was erected on a ground slope with landslide hazard, so it was constructed with a special reinforced foundation and restraining walls to protect neighbouring buildings,” Marcel notes. “Under the local climate conditions, the insulation of the cantilevered boxed-frame concrete structure of the second floor was a major building construction challenge.”

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Open-plan dining flows into a kitchen then a living space in one airy movement

The panoramic outlook towards the slope and view of a protected forest underpins the design of the villa; Marcel explains that the forest was to appear as an expansive living “green” picture from the living room.

Concrete-clad footing plinths anchor the white external envelope and provide contrast to an interior design populated with vibrant furniture and fittings.

More than simply working with the topology of the site, Villa Cinquecento immerses itself in the dramatically sloped plot of Hungarian land. The lower floor appears as a grey mass emerging out of the ground and is offset by a bright and open level perched above.

The juxtaposition between natural, wild surrounding landscape and the distinctly modern concrete profile of the villa is a stroke of genius. The landscape is never far away when inside the villa, in part due to the orientation of the rooms and a curtain of glass that welcomes the scenery inside.

Modern, lavish interiors are set against a stark backdrop of white walls and floors.

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OV E R S E A S P R OJ E CT VILLA CINQUECENTO

W E LOV E THE FREESTANDING BATHTUB IN THE MAIN BEDROOM

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OVERSEAS P ROJ E C T VILLA CINQUECENTO

Uncluttered spaces are punctuated with colourful inclusions that bring the villa to life. This conscious lack of clutter keeps the property free of pretension or “overdesign”, which is advantageous on a number of fronts.

“I believe I can give the most by providing technical solutions that guarantee the sustainability of the building in the long run,” Marcel says.

“Less detail means less possible faults, less corrections, smaller ecological footprint.”

The rear of the property is a cocktail short of a soiree thanks to an impressive terrace with a deck for dining and a swimming pool for aquatic shindigs or reflective soaking.

Far from your average villa, this striking structure boasts understated modernity as one of its top assets while respecting and embracing the picturesque scenery in which it was erected. It’s a truly inspiring piece of architecture from this intriguing part of the world.

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THE JUXTAPOSITION BETWEEN NATURAL, WILD SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE AND THE DISTINCTLY MODERN CONCRETE PROFILE OF THE VILLA IS A STROKE OF GENIUS

E D I TO Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S FAVO URI T E THE SMALL GARAGE BUILT INTO THE LANDSCAPED FRONT SLOPE THAT CELEBRATES RATHER THAN CONCEALS THE UTILITARIAN SPACE

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Mood Colour Palette Textured concrete panels and light-coloured polished floors act like a gallery space for strategically placed statement pieces in tones of walnut red and pistachio for an ultra-modern feel

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01/ Ultraslim Mk2 Perfect Spazzolota Matt large-format wall tile. nationaltiles.com.au 02/ Newell 8 light pendant in black. beaconlighting.com.au 03/ IC Lights floor 2 by Michael Anastassiades for Flos. euroluce.com.au 04/ Planer Kerwood dining table by Paolo Cattelan. ultimo.com.au 05/ Togo Ligne Roset sofa without armrests. villadimilano.com 06/ Conway plastic bar stool. cultfurniture.com

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MORLEY THE MERRIER

Edgy materials meet light-ďŹ lled interiors in a home where entertaining is always on the cards WO R D S C A S S I E H AY WO O D P H O T O G R A P H Y D I O N R O B E S O N

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ED I TO R ’ S FAVO U R I T E THE RAW AND CONTRASTING TEXTURES OF TIMBER, STEEL AND BRICKWORK THAT CREATE A STRIKING APPEARANCE

D E TAI LS HOUSE The Ash LOCATION Morley, Western Australia

THE BUILDING WRAPS AROUND A CENTRAL COURTYARD, CREATING A U-SHAPED DESIGN CONNECTING TO THE OUTDOORS WHILE SUNLIGHT WARMS THE HOME’S EDGY INDUSTRIAL AESTHETIC 96

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fter their plans to complete a duplex subdivision fell through, homeowners Sam and Sarah sold up and decided to have some fun with the construction of their home. After all, with Sam the co-director of Limitless Building, who better to build their dream home than the man himself?

Thanks to the masterfully creative architects at Dalecki Design, the light-infused Ash residence makes its mark in the quiet suburb of Morley, a mere 10km from Perth’s CBD. Drawn to the raw tactility of black brickwork, black exposed steel and timber cladding, the homeowners were after a unique modern structure with a mixed material palette and sleek box-on-box front elevation.

The building wraps around a central courtyard, creating a U-shaped design connecting to the outdoors, with sunlight warming the home’s edgy industrial aesthetic.

Complete with a plunge pool, dragon tree and entertaining area, the courtyard is an outdoor oasis primed for entertaining or relaxing. The homeowners can open up the stacker doors, turn up the music and enjoy the combined area of the indoor/outdoor space. With the house’s footprint taking up most of the lot, the addition of a rooftop garden brings nature into every space.

Initial steps into the home reveal the courtyard,

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“NORTHERN ORIENTATION ALLOWS THE SUN TO PENETRATE THROUGH THE CENTRAL COURTYARD INTO THE HOME” – JANIK DALECKI

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P R OJ E CT THE ASH

and every room has clear views of either of the two outdoor zones.

Environmental functionality and sustainability were at the heart of the design, and this U-shaped format again showcases the impact good design can have on thermal efficiency and natural air flow.

“The home’s northern orientation allows the sun to penetrate through the central courtyard into the house,” architect Janik Dalecki explains.

“Large, correctly shaded northfacing openings located around this courtyard work to harness winter sun directly onto the thermal-massexposed concrete slab.” Combined with a two-and-a-half-storey entry void, north-facing clerestory windows flood additional light into the central

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A raw and moody ambience is perfect for evening relaxation

The brick feature wall is exposed to plenty of sunlight

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passage of the home and expose the brick feature wall to the sun.

Design is never just for one season; it’s a year-round process of keeping spaces populated with fresh air — warm in winter and cool in summer. “All openings throughout the home are strategically positioned to capture the summer breezes, while the koi pond on the southern orientation of the home further assists in cooling this hot air before it enters the house,” Janik says.

Breezeblocks, too, are an artful addition, creating body and allowing in breezes.

The Ash utilises low-emissivity glazing throughout, as well as a solar PV unit, in-ground rainwater collection tank and low-energy heat pump hot water system.

The young, growing family weren’t just thinking of today, but what would be needed as they “developed through the different stages of life”. The floor plan’s compact yet functional layout ensured the family never had to travel far and kept the house feeling connected.

“The home has been separated into two distinct zones, allowing both the children and the parents to have their own space and privacy as they grow,” Janik explains.

However, functionality isn’t the only component of a well-designed home.

Dalecki Design and Limitless Building have created an enviable atmosphere in the home, too. Sam and Sarah have noted that the raw and moody ambience is ideal for relaxation in the evenings, while during the day the same richness of tone is provided but in a lighter, more energetic way.

This residence is a breath of fresh air for Perth and demonstrates the Aussie housing industry heading further towards sustainable, interconnected living where nature and lifestyle come into play. The Ash has space for friends and family to gather, enjoy the sun and feel refreshed by the environment.

Perhaps the owners say it best: “The visual appeal and function of waking up in a home with so much variety and spaces that flow so well is truly enjoyable.”

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Two different living zones mean the adults and children can ďŹ nd their own space

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L EGE N D 1 Porch 2 Entry 3 Garage 4 Kitchen 5 Dining 6 Living 7 Pond 8 Pool 9 Coutyard 10 Alfresco 11 Master bedroom 12 WIR 13 Ensuite 14 WC 15 Laundry 16 Store 17 Balcony 18 Bedroom 19 Bathroom 20 WC 21 Bedroom 22 Bedroom 23 Roof garden 24 Sitting 25 Void

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LEFT & FAR LEFT The use of timber in the bathroom and ensuite adds warmth to the industrial style of the rooms

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WE LOVE THE MASTER BEDROOM’S VIEW OF THE ROOFTOP GARDEN AND POOL FROM ABOVE

P ROJ E C T T E AM

Outdoor dining is covered and stylish

ARCHITECT/INTERIOR DESIGNER Dalecki Design OWNER/BUILDER Limitless Building

FIXTURES & FITTINGS Bricks Austral Cladding Weathertex FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS Sofa Rolf Benz Coffee table Gubi Floor lamp Gubi Gräshoppa Rug Sahar Tessuto Outdoor setting Vitra Outdoor lounger Driade

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Mood Board 01

02 01/ Sahar Tessuto rug. templeďŹ nerugs.com.au 02/ Aria fan in black. beaconlighting.com.au 03/ Gubi Grasshopper floor lamp in oyster white. surrounding.com.au 04/ Alma sofa by Beck Design. ultimo.com.au 05/ Cork stool/side tables. livingedge.com.au

Colour Palette Industrial materials of concrete, black steel and charcoal brick are softened by natural wooden tones and cognac leather.

White walls lighten the mood and balanced placement of greenery adds freshness

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“O’Shea and Sons builders don’t just build houses, we build homes. Individually designed to suit the clients personality and lifestyle, every single home is a bespoke creation taking into account all the elements. The detail is in the design of individually crafted kitchen/bathroom and living spaces. We also have a dedicated Interior Design service that helps with the all important finishing touches. We partner with trades and services that we trust and know will do an outstanding job to create the look the client is wanting to achieve. Our personalised service is second to none, and we are proud to partner with some of the best in the business.”

Ph: 1800 717 477 | www.osheabuilders.com.au

Nick O’Shea - O’Shea & Sons Builders

DESIGN “Our preferred cabinetmaker - Bart Olzanowski of AllFit Cabinet Solutions produces bespoke solutions for kitchens/ bathrooms and living and outdoor areas.”

LIFESTYLE “It’s the Interior Design choices like curtains and floor coverings that make a house a home.

Thanks to Amanda Fullam of CBI Creative and Ann Dowsett of Solomons Carpets.”

FUNCTIONALITY “Products from James Hardie, Rockcote and Mitre10 Mega along with a clever design from Michael Hope Design help us achieve a house with great street appeal”

Project partners

SPONSORE D P ROJ E CT

D E TAI LS HOUSE Hamilton Project LOCATION Hamilton, Qld

CASTLE ON THE HILL Breathtaking views, impressive kerb-side appeal and a family who’ve found their forever home.

What more could you ask for?

WO R D S C A S S I E H AY WO O D P H O T O G R A P H Y S H O OT TO S E L L

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prawling across three levels on a block that drops 11m from rear to front, the Hamilton Project is a feat in itself. This O’Shea & Sons Builders creation is situated in the booming suburb of Hamilton in Queensland, where spectacular river views and trendy cafes are just a few of the perks on offer. Sleek design meets sophisticated eclecticism in this fascinating project designed

by Michael Hope Design, which brings a touch of wow factor to the street. Angles jut out from the facade and a fiery timber ceiling crowns this modern marvel.

Did someone say water feature? The topfloor infinity pool is a statement in itself, but it

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also spills over the edges, creating a calming trickling sound that greets guests as they approach the front door.

Oozing innovation, craftsmanship and visual appeal, this family home captures views while bringing a creative flair to the charming neighbourhood. Durability was essential to the design, so James Hardie external cladding was chosen with ROCKCOTE’s Qgrey finish for a refined aesthetic.

Inside, the house is no less grand or creative. Low-maintenance, family-friendly and refreshing were some of the buzz words thrown around by the homeowners during the briefing stage, and it’s clear from the final

design these were met. The top floor houses most of the living areas to emphasise family connection and maximise city views. With the house built on a hill, this level also seamlessly flows into the backyard where the kids can play. The kitchen created by Allfit Cabinet Solutions, plus living and dining are built open plan and enter directly onto the balcony, where the bifold doors can be pulled open and connect to an outdoor seating area.

With a middle floor centred around privacy and rest, bedrooms were well suited to this area. These spaces have luxurious carpet underfoot from Solomons Carpet Capalaba and beautiful window furnishings from CBI

WE LOVE THE GRAND TRI-LEVEL STAIRWAY AND VOID WITH EXQUISITE SIX-CIRCLE PENDANT LIGHT

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SPONSORE D P ROJ E CT

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L EGE ND 1 Garage 2 Study 3 Entry 4 Bedroom 5 Ensuite 6 Foyer 7 Family 8 Bedroom 9 Store

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Creative to complete the look. This spacious and contemporary level enjoys good views and is a place to retreat to after a long day. The ground floor hosts the man cave for tinkering and hobbies. A grand stairway connects the three storeys, featuring a six-circle pendant light that drops 3m and draws the eye.

Life changes rapidly, so the homeowners wanted to future-proof their new house for the years ahead. Helping people stay in their homes longer is a priority for Nick at Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea & Sons, so a lift installation addresses accessibility, while a bedroom and bathroom on the living level reduce the need to travel between floors.

Despite the challenges of a sloping block and unique set of requirements, the collaboration between homeowner and designer Michael Hope and the team at Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea & Sons Builders has resulted in a striking family abode that ticks all the boxes and creates a grand ďŹ rst impression.

For this effort, the Hamilton Project has been nominated for Custom Built Home of the Year at the HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards. osheabuilders.com.au

P R OJE C T T E A M BUILDING DESIGNER Michael Hope of Michael Hope Design, 0438 248 910 BUILDER Nick Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea of Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea & Sons Builders, osheabuilders.com.au INTERIOR SPECIALIST Maree Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea of Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea & Sons Builders, osheabuilders.com.au

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FINISHES & FIXTURES Cladding James Hardie, jameshardie.com.au External ďŹ nish ROCKCOTE, rockcote.com.au Cabinetry AllďŹ t Cabinet Solutions, allďŹ tcabinetsolutions.com.au Window furnishings CBI Creative, 0422 165 783 Floor coverings Solomons Carpet, solomons.com.au/store/capalaba Building supplier Mitre 10, woodmangroup.com.au

E DI TO Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S FAVO U RI TE THE TOP-FLOOR BALCONY SET-UP THAT OFFERS BEAUTIFUL VIEWS, COMFY OUTDOOR SEATING AND EVEN A FAN TO COMBAT THE QUEENSLAND HEAT

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HIDE & SEEK Part retirement home, part holiday house, this sanctuary designed

by Andrew Child Architecture is the whole package WO R D S LO U I S E S M I T H E R S P H O T O G R A P H Y TATJA N A P L I T T

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P R OJ E CT HIDDEN HOUSE

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HOUSE Hidden House LOCATION Inverloch, Victoria DATE COMMENCED 2016 DATE COMPLETED 2018 INITIAL BUDGET $785,000 FINAL COST $765,000

WE LOVE THE TIMBER CEILING AND EXPOSED BEAMS IN THE STUDY

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n 2016, an odd and almost triangular-shaped block at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac on the Gippsland coast stood vacant. The new owners were able to look past the narrow street access that was thick with trees and purchased the land in the hope of building a home for their retirement. The plot’s saving grace was the higher and wider rear clearing with northern orientation and plenty of unlocked potential.

The new house was also set to function as a holiday home for sojourning family and friends, but a strict budget led to an avoidance of unnecessary extravagance inside the custom-designed structure.

In an attempt to enmesh themselves in their new neighbourhood and engage with the community, the owners hired predominantly local consultants and contractors. The building footprint needed to sidestep a number of existing trees and adhere to the council requirement that dictated the house be set back a significant distance from the street. Using these constraints to their advantage, the resulting structure enjoys immense privacy.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Several large local trees and much of the local tea trees were retained in the front yard to help conceal the house from the street,â&#x20AC;? architect Andrew Child explains. Vertical silvertop ash timber cladding will weather beautifully and blur the home into the surrounding vegetation.

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The project comprises three main parts: the main house, the guesthouse and the services area that includes the laundry and garage.

The main house has everything the couple needs, including one bedroom with walk-in robe, one bathroom, study, living room and kitchen/dining area.

P R OJ E CT HIDDEN HOUSE

Black aluminium windows add contrast and frame the natural exterior landscaping

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MASONRY FLOORS ADJACENT TO THE NORTH-FACING WINDOWS IMPROVE THERMAL MASS BY ABSORBING NATURAL HEAT

Timber walls punctuate the lovely light interior

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The main bedroom feels like a luxurious retreat that rejects the conventionality of a bedroom door; instead, one enters along a hallway that deviates from the rest of the house, offering privacy.

The three-bedroom, one-bathroom guest wing acts as something of a buffer between the main body of the house and the street, with solar electric panels generating energy for the entire home.

“The main body of the house operates as a generous single-level home with the capacity to open up a ‘secret’ door to the guest wing when additional bedrooms and bathrooms are required,” Andrew says. “The main house is prioritised with higher ceilings and northfacing windows in each space.”

A passion for gardening is cultivated in the couple’s thriving outdoor space, complete with pergola and water tank. Three distinct north-facing glazed areas — one addressing the main living spaces, one servicing the study and a third overseeing the main bedroom — were erected with corresponding gardens off each.

P R OJ E CT HIDDEN HOUSE

The trio of well-defined rear gardens is joined by a native scene in the front yard, where indigenous plantings dominate.

With a crispy white interior, the home feels light and spacious — a stark contrast to the dark farmhouse the owners had resided in previously. Natural elements such as concrete pavers, timber lining and plywood cupboards punctuate the white interior scheme, while black aluminium windows deliver contrast and frame the external foliage.

Double-glazing with low-e thermal coating and “double stud” walls with a dual layer of insulation earn the home bonus points for efficiency. Likewise, the positioning and size of the windows amplify solar gain and diminish heating loss.

Masonry floors adjacent to the north-facing windows improve thermal mass by absorbing natural heat.

Low maintenance and robust yet light and bright, Hidden House is a relaxed and understated home that shies away from neighbours but welcomes family with open arms and a fully functioning guest wing.

EDI TO R ’ S FAVO U R I TE THE SILVERTOP ASH SILHOUETTE THAT BLENDS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT

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LE GE N D 1 Laundry 2 Utility 3 Entry hall 4 Entry porch 5 Garage 6 Bedroom 7 Bedroom 8 Bedroom 9 WC 10 Bathroom 11 Hall 12 Living 13 Dining 14 Kitchen 15 Sitting 16 Shower 17 Ensuite 18 WIR 19 Master bedroom 20 Outside seating 21 Pantry 22 Rainwater tank 23 Outdoor dining

GR OU ND FLO O R PL A N

PROJEC T TEA M ARCHITECT Andrew Child Architecture BUILDER Piasente Constructions BUILDING SURVEYOR TJ Building Consultants

STRUCTURAL TEAM Structural engineer Perrett Simpson SERVICES Solar hot water NRG Innovators Rainwater tanks & pump Waterline Tanks Gas log fire Jetmaster Reverse-cycle A/C systems Daikin FIXTURES & FITTINGS Lighting Masson for Light Windows & doors Warragul Glass & Glazing Bathroom fixtures & fittings Caroma Industrial Expression External & structural timber Timber Engineered Structures Kitchen appliances (refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, cooktop) Fisher & Paykel Kitchen sink, mixer Franke

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P R OJ E CT HIDDEN HOUSE

WITH A CRISPY WHITE INTERIOR, THE HOME FEELS LIGHT AND SPACIOUS — A STARK CONTRAST TO THE DARK FARMHOUSE THE OWNERS HAD RESIDED IN PREVIOUSLY

RIGHT The Caroma Industrial Expression bathroom is a neat and bright delight

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Colour Palette A neutral grey and white base has been warmed by light timber.

Pops of black give a contemporary feel while magenta and pistachio textiles add a sense of fun

01/ Glocal Ideal Natural tile. nationaltiles.com.au 02/ Masson Mila round GU10 surface mounted black downlight. beaconlighting.com.au 03/ Urban LED pendant light by Cougar Lighting. zanui.com.au 04/ Franz armchair in solid oak with sage green fabric. iconbydesign.com.au 05/ Nudo table by Sancal. kezu.com.au 06/ Zulta Cushion with magenta flowers. fentonandfenton.com.au 07/ Task floor light in black. originalbtc.com.au

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Inspiration room by room Hundreds of images, ideas and information to get your home project done

OUTDOORS, POOLS & SPAS

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS

INTERIORS

NEW HOMES & RENOVATIONS

completehome.com.au

THE TALK OF TORQUAY A coastal home built for active retirement and family festivities WORDS LOUISE SMITHERS PHOTOGR APHY DAMIEN KOOK

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P R OJ E CT TORQUAY HOUSE

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The house has a thoroughly masculine palette, as per the client’s preference

DE TAI LS HOUSE Torquay House LOCATION Torquay, Victoria DATE COMMENCED November 2016 DATE COMPLETED February 2018 FINAL COST $1,100,000

nce upon a time, a retired couple from Melbourne travelled 95km southwest in search of greener pastures. Pastures don’t come much greener than the carefully manicured lawns of a golf course, which just happens to be the setting for this project.

Bookending the Great Ocean Road, home to Bells Beach and renowned for its natural beauty, Torquay’s picturesque rating just went from “10 out of 10” to “off the charts”.

The reason? A Luke Fry-designed house nestled at the bulb end of a cul-de-sac within an established golf club housing estate.

The initial brief called for a lowmaintenance house with zoned living spaces and exposed concrete. The resulting home

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ticks all these boxes and then some. The north-east orientation guarantees total privacy from neighbours and complete protection from south-west winds. The most beneficial aspect of the home’s orientation is its proximity to views of the golf course.

The floor plan was consciously developed to ensure the owners could use the ground floor as a single-level house, leaving the upper floor — with two bedrooms, living space, bathroom and powder room — for guests and extended family visits.

“Every room on the ground floor has an immediate connection to the landscape, either directly or from the very moment you step out of that room,” Luke says. “The view hits you in the face. It’s absolutely stunning and unique to the context of the site.”

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WE LOV E THE LARGE PICTURE WINDOW BUILT INTO THE DARK BRICK WALL IN THE LIVING ROOM

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P R OJ E CT TORQUAY HOUSE

The upper floor can operate independently, making it the ideal spot for the owner’s three adult children and four grandchildren to camp out. The elevation of the guest level makes views out to the horizon optimal. The skyward vista is further emphasised by lifted windowsills.

If something about the home feels familiar, it’s because Luke took inspiration from some of the finest architects to ever put pencil and protractor to blueprint.

“The modernist Kaufmann House by Richard Neutra is a personal favourite of mine and provided some inspiration through its connection of space, built form and texture,” Luke shares. “Secondly, the Dunalley House in Tasmania by Stuart Tanner provided some wonderful inspiration, particularly the breathtaking cantilevered concrete deck.”

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EDI TO Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S FAVO URI TE THE LAYERING OF TEXTURES AND MATERIALS LIKE TIMBER, STONE AND CONCRETE

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P R OJ E CT TORQUAY HOUSE

To say the team from Luke Fry Archiecture & Interior Design have a keen eye for detail is an understatement. Choice of materials is considered especially significant. “Material selection is always important in our work,” Luke says. “We focus on honest and proven materials to produce an edited palette, creating a refined simplicity layered in texture.”

Neutral masculine tones dictated by the brief have been executed with gusto. Concrete, brick and stone sit alongside glass, timber and steel for a robust

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“WE FOCUS ON HONEST AND PROVEN MATERIALS TO PRODUCE AN EDITED PALETTE, CREATING A REFINED SIMPLICITY LAYERED IN TEXTURE” — LUKE FRY

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P R OJ E CT TORQUAY HOUSE

material palette that will age with grace. Combining the materials is done in a minimalist and subtle fashion that oozes sophistication rather than screaming ostentation.

Windows and glass doors are positioned to frame the very best bits of the landscape, of which there are many.

Externally, deep-hued masonry walls collide with a Barestone-clad second level for a coastal home aesthetic launching outside of the box and into our dreams.

Disregarding the crusty cookie cutter and forging a new way forward in coastal architecture, Luke says it best when he explains, “this project redefines what a ‘beach house’ can be, in its aesthetics, function and context”.

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P ROJE C T T EAM ARCHITECT/INTERIOR DESIGNER Luke Fry Architecture & Interior Design, lukefry.com.au BUILDER Owner/builder; Michael Limb Builders, michaellimbbuilders.com.au

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LE GEN D 1 Driveway 2 Entry 3 Garage 4 Foyer 5 Laundry 6 Kitchen 7 Dining 8 Living 9 BBQ 10 Deck 11 Hall 12 WC 13 Theatre 14 Master bedroom 15 WIR 16 Ensuite 17 Deck 18 Living 19 Bathroom 20 Bedroom 3 21 Bedroom 2 22 WC

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01/ Dekton Lunar. cosentino.com/en-gb 02/ LEDlux Strix dimmable pendant in black. beaconlighting.com.au 03/ Large Koa black bulb vase. horgans.com.au 04/ Gubi dining table rectangular. surrounding.com.au 05/ Gubi beetle chair conic base in sweet pink. surrounding.com.au 06/ Muuto Corky grey glasses. surrounding.com.au 07/ Home Republic Atami potted plant apple leaves green. adairs.com.au 08/Fior Di Mar polished stone slab. skheme.com

03 Colour Palette Black, white and grey are the foundations of this monochrome masterpiece. Ash timber adds a whisper of warmth to the starkness while pale pink and blue furnishings create softness

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OV E R SE AS P R OJ E CT HOUSE FREYER, ZWAVELPOORT

Outside in When architect Nadine Engelbrecht built a home for her parents on a South African farm, not only did she bring the outside in with a double-volume conservatory, she also took the house off the grid WO R D S G R A H A M WO O D P H O T O G R A P H Y E L S A YO U N G

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LEFT In a sheltered nook between kitchen and conservatory, an outside seating area is open to the sky RIGHT The very core of the house is a kind of conservatory space — an open double-volume barn-like interior with its steel frame exposed

HOUSE Freyer LOCATION Zwavelpoort, South Africa

t’s not supposed to look like a barn,” architect Nadine Engelbrecht says of the house she built for her parents in Zwavelpoort outside Pretoria in South Africa. “It’s just supposed to be a shell.”

The house, on a 35-hectare farm with rocky, hilly grasslands and wide-open views of the nearby Bronberg mountain range, might appear to be referencing barn-like structures or gesturing towards some sort of agricultural vernacular design, but that certainly wasn’t Nadine’s primary concern.

When she first began sketching designs for her parents, Charmaine and Andre Freyer, she had no shortage of ideas — “architectural ideas”, she laughs. She suggested screens perforated with images of the surrounding landscape and other aesthetic devices, but her parents weren’t biting.

After a few more attempts, she asked her mother to show her a picture of something she liked. Charmaine produced a picture of a farmhouse in the Karroo — the semi-desert scrubland of the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape provinces. “It looked like nothing,” Nadine says: a stone cottage with a roof of corrugated iron sheeting. “I asked her what she liked about it and she said she didn’t know.”

She also showed her a tearoom in a conservatory she liked.

Baffled, Nadine went back to the drawing board. And then the penny dropped. “I realised my mom wanted simplicity,” she says. “Nothing that’s trying to look like ‘Architecture’; just something that creates beautiful space and light.”

So Nadine took the simplest form she could imagine — the archetype of a child’s drawing of home — and honest, humble materials, and started there. She designed a steel and glass facade, exposed concrete slabs and the closest thing to a stock brick she could practically use, cementwashed. The durable metal roof sheeting, she says, was a practical, rather than an aesthetic choice, interspersed with polycarbonate, which lets in natural light. “We wanted to keep it rough and natural, like it belongs here,” Nadine says. Timber accents throughout provide a sense of warmth, softening the industrial materials.

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OV E R S E A S P R OJ E CT HOUSE FREYER, ZWAVELPOORT

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LEFT Glassed-off workspaces adjacent to the lounge allow quiet and a degree of privacy while light filters through RIGHT Nadine designed the metal kitchen island and cabinets in keeping with the industrial aesthetic and materiality of the architecture

W E LOVE ALL THAT LIGHT, COMING IN FROM EVERY WHICH WAY!

The house was positioned to capture views to the north and south, and overlooks a nearby grove of trees to the west, for her bird-loving father. “From the main bedroom, you look right into the treetops,” she says.

The voluminous central conservatory was for her plant-loving mother, who grows orchids, cymbidiums, aerophytes and all nature of green delights.

This barn-like volume is at the very centre of the home.

The heart of many traditional South African homes — like the Karroo cottage Nadine’s mother originally showed her — is a covered front patio or stoep. The long, warm summers and mild winters make indoor-outdoor living a foregone conclusion. “My mom wanted a closed stoep so she could have soft furnishings — and also for the stoep not to be a room next to the house, but in the house,” Nadine explains. “So this is the core of the house — our conservatory.”

An automated opener lifts up one of the glass walls so that it disappears entirely, meeting the vastness of the view with a voluminous interior. To one side is a kitchen and an informal seating area cum TV room. To the other, a lounge, his-and-hers glassed-in office spaces, and a bedroom. Below (visible through a strip of glass floor near the entrance) is a wine cellar. “This is really just a onebedroom house, believe it or not!” Nadine says.

Well, that’s not quite true. Downstairs, tucked into the hillside, is a self-contained guest suite for visiting family and friends: “Two bedrooms and bathrooms, and a shared little kitchenette and lounge area,” as Nadine describes it.

Close to Nadine’s heart is the notion of passive design, sustainability and energy efficiency. “In South Africa, because of the climate, if you design a house well, you don’t need alternative heating and cooling,” she explains.

The farm has three dams, which take care of its water supply, and she incorporated 16 photovoltaic panels on the roof to cover most of the power requirements — everything but the oven. It’s carefully insulated. “Our overhangs are correct, so in wintertime sun comes into the house,” Nadine says. With the doors closed, it’s lovely and warm. In summer, if you keep the doors open, it cools naturally. “It’s never too hot. When everything is open, it breathes, and its temperature stays constant.”

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OV E R SE AS P R OJE CT HOUSE FREYER, ZWAVELPOORT

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LEFT & BOTTOM LEFT The bedroom is westfacing and opens onto a balcony with folding timber screen. The area surrounding the bed is given warmth and definition by an oak floor

As well as being a plant lover, Charmaine is a champion of local art and design. She frequents student exhibitions, frequently buying the works of upcoming artists to support them. Almost all the furnishings throughout the house are by local designers. The spectacular timber chandelier above the dining table in the conservatory is by David Krynauw. In the lounge, there’s a bench by Laurie Wiid van Heerden, a table by Gregor Jenkin and Ronel Jordaan chairs. The dining table was designed by Nadine and made by Andre, who is a keen amateur carpenter, and also contributed to the timberwork in various spaces, such as the custom-made steel kitchen island. The dining chairs — originally classroom chairs — were from an antique shop. The workbench in the conservatory was salvaged from the original farmhouse on the farm.

It’s an eclectic mix that is beautifully resolved in the simple palette of white walls, timber, concrete and steel carried throughout the interiors.

The landscaping was largely a matter of rehabilitating the natural grassland around the house, introducing some other water-wise varieties on the inclines where heavy rain would have washed out the grass. “We’ve got some lawn for the dogs and kids to play,” Nadine says.

“Otherwise, everything is endemic.”

And with that massive, light-filled volume at its centre, filled with plants and greenery, the landscape seems to fill its green heart, too: simplicity itself.

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OV E R S E A S P R OJ E CT HOUSE FREYER, ZWAVELPOORT

E DI TO R’ S FAVOU RI T E THE COSY RAISED READING NOOK

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Oak doors, cabinets and floors introduce warmth and texture, while the concrete ceiling has been left exposed, honestly expressing its materiality

P ROJE C T T E A M ARCHITECT Nadine Engelbrecht Architect

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Ensuite Viewing deck Main bedroom Closet Guest kitchen Guest lounge

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Guest bedroom Store Secret door Wine cellar Secret stair Patio

OV E RS A HOUSE FREYE ,

P ROJEC T VELPOORT

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01/ ReadyFlor Blackbutt 1 strip. quick-step.com.au 02/ Aim by Ronan & Erwan. flos.com 03/ African cork stools. wiiddesign.co.za 04/ Rope modular threeseater sofa by Normann Copenhagen. district.com.au 05/ Artificial fiddle leaf fig plant. dowsingandreynolds.com 06/ Still Life with Pomegranate ed. 2/5

by Anna-Riitta Ovaska. bluethumb.com.au

Colour Palet Timber and concr e industrial-meetssoft dove grey fur each other. Lush g unexpected pops

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A WHOLE NEW ANGLE Architectural challenges are no barrier to a smoothly run project P H O T O G R A P H Y J E R E M Y W R I G H T P H OTO G R A P H Y

W

hen a couple in their 30s with a one-year-old daughter purchased a small 1970s brick veneer home on stumps, they felt there was only one choice: knock-down and rebuild.

The duo wanted a home with the luxury and feel of a resort-style five-star Dubai hotel, which they achieved through such fine details as lighting, large windows and architectural open space. They also wanted the home to have a lot of natural light and to use the entire block while remaining on just one level.

The owners’ new four-bedroom home was designed to suit their lifestyle and to serve as their “forever” home. Project managers Perpetual Projects faced the challenges of the brief — to make use of the whole 860sqm oddly shaped block and keep it on one level — head on.

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WE LOVE HUGE PICTURE WINDOWS THAT LET LIGHT FLOOD THE ROOMS

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“ALMOST EVERYTHING NEEDED TO BE CUSTOM BUILT” – PETER FANOUS

“The irregular angles throughout the house meant most walls were built on an angle, which proved difficult during the construction process and meant that almost everything in the home needed to be custom built,” Perpetual Projects managing director Peter Fanous explains.

On top of that, the window canopy was too high for the building code, so it needed lowering — which meant the ceiling height in the guest bedroom also had to come down.

“We needed to modify the structural beams for the corner window in the guest bedroom to ensure it could withstand the wind loads and support the weight of the canopy and window,” Peter adds.

Of the whole project, he says: “We used lightweight materials such as a clip lock roof system, Hebel walls in lieu of bricks, a wellinsulated waffle slab, double-glazed windows, a solar hot water system and an 11kW solar system to reduce energy consumption.”

As project managers, Perpetual Projects took care of the initial design, demolition of the original property, liaison with various council departments and neighbours, overseeing the builder, quality and defects inspections and reporting, home automation, staging and photography, and general ad hoc problem solving.

Highlights for Peter include the bathtub in the middle of the master bedroom and the chocolate-coloured joinery, which sets the tone for the rest of the house, finished off beautifully with gold tapware, fixtures and handles throughout.

The final product is a fantastic home — four bedrooms, one bathroom (plus an ensuite and a powder room), large open-plan kitchen/ living/dining and a formal living room with fireplace. Bespoke windows, doors, cabinetry, fit-out and specification, outdoor barbecue and entertainment alfresco all combine to fit perfectly on this irregular block.

With a budget of “under one million”, Peter’s team — along with Rara Architecture and Melbourne Property Stylists — managed to exceed expectations, with a final cost of just $860,000 — and that’s including variations and upgrades. perpetualprojects.com.au

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Kitchens & bathrooms Take some cues from these cutting-edge design ideas

The Seed House, Fitzpatrick & Partners Architects

150 Kitchen Design Competition winners 156 Hawthorn House 2 bathroom

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Fitzpatrick & Partners Architects’ Seed House

Aussie designers DOING US PROUD Australian kitchen designers have proved they’re global competitors on the world stage in this year’s Sub-Zero Wolf Kitchen Design Competition WO R D S A N G E L A YO U N G

n impressive seven Australian entrants were among the 30 finalists of the bi-annual Sub-Zero Wolf Kitchen Design Contest (for 2017–2018). The global competition, which recognises kitchen designers, architects, interior designers, builders and re-modellers for advancing outstanding kitchen design, received more than 1800 entries from 18 countries.

Finalists, selected by an international panel of architects, kitchen designers and interior designers, were evaluated in three categories: Contemporary, Transitional and Traditional.

The seven Aussies joined 22 other international finalists and one student winner at the Winners’ Summit & Gala in Charleston, South Carolina, where the winners were announced.

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Home-grown finalists included David Selden Design’s South Coast Residence, a heritage house providing a tranquil and natural environment for the owner who lives in the inner-city during the week. The challenge was to work in the context of the small spaces defined by the original heritage structure.

“The kitchen design required careful study of the ergonomics, relationship of various elements, circulation and dimensions to ensure our client’s specific functional requirements would be accommodated within the small space,” David says, adding that planning was important to locate the kitchen as the “heart of the home”, connected to all areas of the house.

From any position in the kitchen, all living spaces are connected and views can be enjoyed

— through the original house and living room towards the ocean, through the new dining room towards the national park to the north and through the original windows towards the western deck, garden and escarpment.

Fitzpatrick + Partners Architects’ Seed House was another finalist, with an interesting client brief: “I want a contemporary and functional version of the kitchen from The Hobbit.

Durable and functional, warm and inviting, and somewhere I don’t have to worry about the scratches, the spills or the mess. I want it to continue to develop its character from how we use it, and how it responds.”

James Fitzpatrick’s response is a wooded wonderland. As one of the clients was originally from Tasmania and wanted to incorporate

HENS ESIGNS

Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors’ Armadale Residence.

Photography by Mark Roper

the timbers of their childhood, celery top pine, figured blackwood and radiata pine were brought in — with some difficulty and much craftsmanship required.

Evidence of excellent workmanship can also be seen in the hand-worked stainless-steel benchtops, the steel ironmongery above-bench shelving, the kitchen tap (from a Brooklyn NY foundry) and the glass support bracketry.

Armadale Residence, Rob Mills Architecture & Interiors’ entry, was actually the architect’s own family home. A former industrial building completely transformed, nowhere is the attention to detail more evident than in the showpiece of the main living area.

A centrepiece brass kitchen creates drama and excitement, anchoring the warm brass details used as linings for door frames, and the water feature that begins outside flows through the length of the living area.

Winner of the small space kitchen award was Studio Lancini. According to Erika Lancini, at the heart of the Copelen Street project was creating an innovative yet flexible work environment.

“The goal was to provide a touch of sophistication combined with a serenity and sense of comfort that allows a home to breathe,” Erika says. “Despite the complexity of the details, the goal was to attain a sense of visual simplicity.”

Managing to avoid design fragmentation and ensuring continuity, the finished kitchen is serene yet sophisticated. Erika points out that the kitchen elements were chosen “for their reflexivity, which we translate in our joinery as a formal design language”.

ABOVE David Selden Design’s South Coast Residence. Photography by Justin Alexander BELOW Copelen Street, from Studio Lancini. Photography by Peter Clarke

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A FAMILY KITCHEN FIRST, THE LAYOUT CAN ALSO BE USED TO RECORD COOKING TELEVISION PROGRAMS

Armadale House, by Chris Connell Design.

Photography by Earl Carter

Australian talent swept the floor in the Contemporary segment of the competition.

Nabbing third place was Chris Connell Design’s Armadale House kitchen, which needed to incorporate facilities and functionality to meet the (highly detailed) demands of the professional chef client, while still retaining the domestic qualities of a family kitchen.

Despite the size of the owner’s preferred appliances, including a very large, centrally placed refrigerator, an emphasis on natural light in the kitchen was a key design driver for Chris, achieved through a combination of full-height and pivoting windows and a continuous skylight running the entire length of the kitchen/dining/living space.

While very much a family kitchen first, the layout can also be used to record cooking television programs. The full-height windows to the garden can be opened to allow for crews to film in wide angle, an external concrete apron allows for a camera dolly to pan left and right, and a double island bench allows for preparation at the rear, keeping the front island clear for cooking demonstrations.

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KITC HENS WINNING DESIGNS

Maker & May’s Canadian Bay. Photography by Daniel Fuge

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In second place for Contemporary design was Maker + May’s Canadian Bay, a striking yet understated kitchen. According to interior designer Kirstyn Lloyd, the client had a very specific vision to build a home that was, in their words, both magical and powerful, a space that wouldn’t be commonly seen elsewhere. With three small children living in the home, family-friendly functionality was also a top priority.

After a challenging project (including a tight time frame and a client with little tolerance for mistakes or delay), the resulting kitchen is elegant but practical.

“The exactness of the cabinetry lines and strong nature of the surrounding finishes were all designed to support the style and reputation of the appliances both integrated and on display, in a powerful yet understated manner,” Kirstyn explains.

First-place global winner of the Contemporary segment was Mim Design’s elegant NNH Residence. Mim Design principal Miriam Fanning explains that the clients — a young family with boys — love to entertain, so it was important the kitchen catered for their needs, including housing their wine collection.

“Integration and visual appeal were essential in creating a kitchen that exuded luxury as well as encompassing a welldetailed interior with equipment,” she says. “It was important the materials and proportion of the kitchen melded with the scale of the space itself. Our goal was to create an interior that our clients took great pride in.

It was important that a sense of quality and purpose was instilled when designing this space — selection of materials and finishes with equipment was holistic throughout.

Authentic equipment and materials were essential in creating this design.”

Ensuring a refined, clean kitchen that was hugely practical from an operational point of view was the challenge, fulfilled with aplomb.

“We wanted to create a great space all the family could use, an entertainers’ kitchen, as well as a space that worked beautifully with the dining room and the rest of the house. The design of this project doesn’t deliver a themed look. It delivers a unique custom approach to kitchen design incorporating a timeless look.

“This kitchen is not only practical, it’s also elegant, timeless and luxurious. Most of all, our clients are extremely happy.”

The winning NNH Residence, from Mim Design.

Photography by Peter Clarke

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Island solutions Make a statement with Sirius. Strikingly beautiful, efficient and functional. Spacious, innovative, open plan designs and contemporary finishes are complemented by the Valentina Collection by Sirius.

The Sirius Halo Rangehood (shown on right) is the newest addition to the Sirius Island Solutions range. Featuring a powerful, yet quiet extraction and a bright LED light ring to illuminate the cooking area, the Halo is a sleek and stunning fixture for the modern kitchen.

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Integrated Induction Downdraft with gold grill insert SDDH-3

Pendant rangehood and matching light SILT-28

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Bathroom takeover Texturally complex yet calm and tranquil, this renovated Melbourne bathroom is sublime WO R D S LO U I S E S M I T H E R S P H O T O G R A P H Y H I L A RY B R A D FO R D P H OTO G R A P H Y

rab your towel and pop on your shower cap as we step inside this Rosstang Architects-designed and Henry Netherway-built family bathroom.

Like a forgotten rock star from the ’80s, the previous bathroom was unloved, dark and dated. The irregular floor plan was topped by a relatively low 2.4m ceiling height. The new owners — a family of four — are all over six foot, so controlling

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proportions and heights was important to ensure the bathroom felt spacious enough for its lofty inhabitants to use comfortably.

Existing wall tiling that stopped short of the ceiling added to the hodge podge feel of the room and needed to go to make way for a light and bright bathroom that epitomised luxury.

Servicing two teenage boys, it needed to offer tactile and practical aspects for it to be a functional space.

BAT HR OOM HAWTHORN HOUSE 2

W E LOV E THE SKYLIGHT THAT ENHANCES THE SENSE OF SPACE AND REDUCES THE NEED FOR ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING

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BAT HROOM HAWTHORN HOUSE 2

The new bathroom retained and reused all the original plumbing points, which kept costs down and allowed the owners to splurge on the magnificent Gradient Crayon Blue Matt wall tiles behind the mirror and in the shower.

Exploding with colour and character, these tiles welcome complexity within order as they emulate the play of leaves or water in light.

A custom skylight is positioned along the edge of the room to create the illusion of space.

“The window and skylight to the side create a soft light that highlights the beautiful textures of the room,” says architect Rosemary Ross. “The original irregular plan was rationalised through the use of a new fullheight joinery element, concealing one of the steps along this wall.”

Heated towel rails and a backlit round mirror join a host of features that transform the once dreary water closet into a well-lit bathing sanctuary.

As the first part of a much larger project that will encompass the rest of the house, Rosstang Architects is excited to see how the next stages unravel. If the bathroom is anything to go by, we’d say it will be a luxuriously functional and lively abode. rosstang.com.au

E D I TO R’ S FAVOU R ITE THE GRADIENT CRAYON BLUE MATT WALL TILES BEHIND THE MIRROR AND IN THE SHOWER 160

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FIXTURES & FITTINGS Basin Alape Sondo Counter bi-colour counter basin Basin taps Milli Glance extended basin mixer in gunmetal WC Astra Walker Pura floor-mounted pan Shower Astra Walker iron bronze finish Wall tiles Tiento Tiles Gradient Crayon Blue Matt and Evoque Perla Floor tiles Tiento Tiles Evoque Perla Heated towel rails Scarpa in custom iron bronze finish Mirror Plaza 85 backlit round mirror Lighting Masson for Light Beama Surface Eye Baby Shower screen Clear glass, frameless Joinery doors George Fethers Lignapal Smoked Oak Limed Joinery benchtop CDK Blue Moon

The

Source Get down to the nitty-gritty of the functional elements of your home 162 A floor in your plans 172 Blind determination

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carpetcourt.com.au

A floor in your plans Red wine’s gone flying, the kids are having a food fight and the dog just threw up in the living room — how does your flooring keep up? The multitude of options can be overwhelming, but there’s always a material to suit…

WO R DS C AS SI E HAY WOOD

hether you’re building your dream home in the country or renovating a sky-high penthouse, it’s crucial to select the right flooring to suit your lifestyle, home and desired aesthetic, not least because it’s expensive and inconvenient to have to change it again later. So, what will work best for you? Here we look at the popular types of flooring, their pros and cons, comfort, practicality, acoustics and appearance.

Don’t underestimate the effect good flooring has on the ambience of a room. Creative director of Smart Design Studio William Smart notes the importance of choosing a material that suits the area’s needs. “Lighter finishes will enhance a sense of spaciousness and brighten a smaller room, while an extra-wide board might not suit this same space,” he says. “Consider colour and size, where a large-format tile might be calmer than a mosaic in a tiny bathroom. Think about how the surface wears, too. Timber floorboards,

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although hugely popular, can be easily dented, scratched or stained in high-traffic areas. Tiled surfaces are easy to clean but can be slippery.

Each option comes with good and bad elements, so make an informed choice based on your own set of requirements.”

Cosy, welcoming and relaxing, a home with flooring that performs well acoustically and is gentle underfoot is destined to be a great one. Acoustic performance can be evaluated by how well airborne noise travels, insulation of an impact and the mass of the material.

Denser, thicker materials tend to perform better, particularly when composed of layers of material like polyester matting and rubber.

Acoustic insulation battens placed in the subfloor between joists is one of the most effective ways to dampen sounds, as are dense, soundproof underlays. Another bonus of thicker underlays is increased thermal insulation and a softer floor for extra comfort.

If finding sustainable flooring isn’t at the top of your list, it should be. Eco-friendly surfaces

don’t only look good, but materials with low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) will also make you feel good, too. Think of the following considerations when choosing your flooring: responsible manufacturing, transport type and distance, impact on environment, maintenance, longevity of product, and its ability to be renewed or recycled. Check out a manufacturer’s website for responsible processes in place, such as recycling production water, utilising cogenerated power systems, extracting by-products like dust or transporting via rail rather than truck. No product is perfect, but trying to find the best one that suits your needs and is sustainable will ensure you’re doing your bit for the environment.

Regardless of whether you’re vibing the industrial look of concrete, sustainability of bamboo or luxurious comfort of carpet, flooring needs to be durable enough to withstand foot traffic, while being beautiful to boot! Think about your current flooring needs, as well as what you’ll be wanting five years from now.

T H E S OUR C E FLOORING

WOOD I EVER Talk about the flooring of a lifetime! Two of the reasons hardwood is so popular are its incredible durability and an aesthetic that never goes out of style. Wood complements any look, from rustic to modern, and is perfect for most areas of the home.

Lighter-toned woods don’t show dust as easily, so are a great option for a low-maintenance home, while darker woods can suit modern tastes. Allergy and asthma sufferers can breathe easy as hardwood floors are known to repel dust mites and mould.

The broom and mop are your friends, with easy maintenance a real boon. Add in a noise-reducing underlay and voila!

With a bit of research, it’s also possible to be sustainably minded with hardwood. Wood responsibly sourced by certified loggers ensures the renewability of those trees to maintain forests and regulate this precious supply. Look at official certifications from such organisations as the Australian Forestry Standard or the international Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification.

Alternatively, choosing to reuse, reclaim or recycle invites genuine history into your home, with woods up to 300 years old sometimes on the market and available through reclaimed wood distributors.

Hardwood has time on its side and can be recycled into quality furniture.

Byron Bay spotted gum in Silva Ridge. flooringxtra.com.au

Gerflor Texline Comfort in Leone

back in style

Marmoleum is a CO2-neutral resilient flooring range of linoleum. forbo.com

A big hit in the ‘50s, linoleum has made a comeback as an eco-friendly, natural flooring type with prized qualities. Linoleum is durable, antibacterial and hypoallergenic, easily cleaned and maintained, recyclable, has good sound insulation and low environmental impact. Available in a range of funky colours and luxuriously soft underfoot, what more could you ask for?

Another similar type of material rising in popularity is vinyl flooring. Firm, hard-wearing, watertight and a strong insulator, synthetic vinyl has many of the same qualities as natural linoleum. Some vinyls, like Gerflor’s Texline Comfort, achieve an impact sound reduction of up to 20dB — perfect for apartments! The Texline Comfort also has a backing made from 95 per cent recycled plastic bottles, reusing up to eight bottles per square metre.

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THE SOU RCE FLOORING

bamboozled While technically a grass, bamboo features many of the same characteristics as hardwood flooring. Strong, light, durable and with a similar aesthetic to hardwood, bamboo is the cheaper, more eco-friendly option. One of the fastestgrowing plants in the world, bamboo is considered a sustainable option for flooring, with fewer environmental and greenhouse impacts than timber harvesting. While bamboo reaches its full height in mere months, it takes at least five years to strengthen. Research your bamboo supplier to check for premature harvesting practices and ensure they’re Forest Stewardship Council-certified for peace of mind. As with all materials, some surface finishes can contain toxins or high levels of VOCs. Protect your home’s air quality by assessing the glue used.

premiumfloors.com.au

ecoflooring.com.au

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choicesflooring.com.au

Welcome To A

FABULOUS

FLOORING

EXPERIENCE

Flooring is one of the biggest decisions and investments you will make for your new home or renovation. It needs to not only look great, but suit your unique home and family. No two homes are the same! Finding the balance between aesthetics, quality, budget and suitability can seem overwhelming.

That’s why Flooring Xtra want to help you through the whole journey, from beginning to end. Three simple steps; We inspire, we measure, we install.

Over 85 Stores

flooringxtra.com.au

1300 FLOORX (for your nearest store)

A

FABULOUS

FLOORING

EXPERIENCE

REGULAR CORK BARK HARVESTING STIMULATES THE TREE’S GROWTH AND DOESN’T HARM THE TREE AT ALL

ABOVE & LEFT Cork flooring done really well in Brisbane’s Calile Hotel. Photography by Sean Fennessy

PUT A CORK IN IT As many a sandal-wearer knows, cork feels great underfoot. Slightly springy, warm to touch and great for your back long-term, cork offers a noticeable difference to other flooring types. This light, flexible material will bounce back quickly from foot traffic and is well suited to the young or elderly in case of falls. Unlike a hard, solid surface, cork deadens vibrations and sound transfer. It’s so efficient that cork itself is often used as a soundproofer!

One of the more finicky of the flooring types, cork care is a fine balance of precautions and embracing the natural imperfections that arise. Felt furniture mats will become your best friend in lessening the impact heavy objects can have long-term on the cork’s surface. And sustainability? A big plus. Regulated cork bark harvesting (every nine years once mature) stimulates the tree’s growth and doesn’t harm the tree at all. With a low-embodied energy output and a recyclable resulting material, cork ticks many of our boxes.

While cork is water-resistant, it’s better to clean up spills quickly as liquids can stain if left too long. A little sun fading is to be expected, too (as with many other materials), but it all becomes part of the flooring you’ll love. Dirt and stains are hidden easily on cork floors, and a quick sweep or mop will leave it sparkling. You can take your pick of finishes, too, from natural light tan to stained or painted surfaces with a lovely woodsy texture.

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T H E S OUR C E FLOORING

ABOVE & BELOW Multi-hued textures. prestigecarpets.com.au

Copenhagen loop pile in Wadden. flooringxtra.com.au

HIT THE FLOOR Who doesn’t love a carpet so soft you could almost sleep on it?

Something plush underfoot is great for little ones. A crowd-favourite for comfort, carpet can be a pleasure to walk on and thermally efficient, keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

If you have several floors in your home or are in an apartment, carpet mutes sound so you won’t annoy your neighbours or family members (and, hopefully, vice versa). Practically? Stains can be easy to create and hard to remove, while dog hair, dust mites and crumbs can accumulate quickly, so bear in mind the carpet will need a good vacuum every week or so to keep it feeling fresh.

Bedrooms call for gloriously soft, toe-sinkable carpet as a warm welcome when sliding out of bed. Carpet in living rooms is another popular choice. Remember, however, not all carpet is created equal.

Types range from level loop pile or cut-pile plush to the shaggy frieze style. Cut-pile plush offers a luxurious, soft, velvety feel for a more decorous look, ideal for formal lounges or dining. The short and slightly twisted pile can show vacuuming tracks easier than others, but creates a clean look in a home.

On the flip side, frieze carpet is a playful, durable style that kids love in their rooms. With multi-directional strands, this stylish texture is available in thick or thin, long or short pile for varying aesthetics.

And carpet styles don’t stop there. Cut and loop pile can create distinctive patterns that are good for hiding dirt and stains, while the level loop pile is more linear, with rows of loops suitable for high-traffic areas. Get creative with carpet and bring a little luxury into your home.

A pastel carpet imbues a sense of calm. carpetcourt.com.au

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ABOVE Byron series. nationaltiles.com.au ABOVE LEFT Frammenta series. nationaltiles.com.au LEFT Yaki series. nationaltiles.com.au BELOW Arkitek Grey tiles. beaumont-tiles.com.au

TAC-TILE STYLES For colour and unique patterns, look no further than tiles. They allow you to be enormously creative and also cheat a little, with marble- or wood-look options, or smaller, matt-green mosaics reminiscent of the sea. Water-resistant and durable, tiles are, of course, most commonly used in bathrooms or kitchens, though you needn’t be restricted. Unlike other types of flooring, however, tiles can’t be softened with underlays, so long periods of standing, and the whole of winter, can be uncomfortable with cool, hard tiles. Before you stock up on socks, though, consider radiant heating systems such as underfloor heating, which work wonders for year-round comfort and toasty toes regardless of the season. Remember, too, that certain shoes (dress shoes, stilettos etc) can be very noisy.

While tiles are easy to clean and non-porous, it can be a little trickier to keep grout looking fresh.

A bit of elbow grease or fresh grout is needed every so often to refresh the surface. Black grouting has become trendy as a way of minimising upkeep by disguising grime, and looking good at the same time! Accessorising is important — quick-dry mats by sinks or baths reduce the risk of slipping and are more comfortable underfoot.

Go green by researching tile manufacturers’ practices or choosing sustainable options such as recycled glass tiles. Perhaps most importantly, before you install you need to look into your building’s structure to check the existing supports are suitable for this type of heavy flooring.

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T H E S OUR C E FLOORING

The use of concrete in this “Garden Room” by Clare Cousins Architects is sleek and complementary.

Photography by Tess Kelly. clarecousins.com.au

BACK TO THE FOUNDATIONS Concrete has won many hearts over recent years. No longer relegated to garage floors, it’s now celebrated, taking centre stage right in our homes.

Durability won’t be a worry with this surface; a material that holds skyscrapers in the air will surely stand the test of family time, wear and tear, and even trend changes!

Concrete suits a modern or industrialstyle home, where the raw aesthetic can complement sleek surrounds.

With great durability comes great hardness and, similar to tiles, it can be uncomfortable standing on concrete for long periods. Rugs will soften a space for greater usability, as well as dampening sound and providing warmth against winter’s cold edge. Radiant heating can be used with concrete to stave off the chill in cold weather, while summer will be a breeze with this thermally-efficient material.

Acoustically, concrete performs — its high mass will deaden sound. Impact noise will still be a consideration, however, so rugs can still be a welcome addition in that respect.

When it comes to being environmentally friendly, concrete is two-fold. The process of making concrete can require lots of energy and produce carbon dioxide as a by-product.

However, inert, biodegradable and recyclable, concrete is often used as a foundation in homes where, if sealed and cared for, it can be your flooring. It has no need for any additional flooring layers, so you’re simply using what you already have.

Equally, if you ever do feel like a change down the track, it’s easy enough to simply add flooring over the top. Sounds like a winner!

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Your home is the ultimate reďŹ&#x201A;ection of who you are. The design decisions you make and the materials you choose will determine your lifestyle.

With timber windows and doors, your possible palette is almost unlimited, whether you want a traditional feel or are looking to add an organic touch to a sleek modern design. So set your own trend. Explore the Botanica range at trendwindows.com.au

SET YOUR OWN TREND WITH BOTANICA.

BOTANICA Timber series

Luxaflex Modern Roman Shades are cordless, safe and great aesthetically. luxaflex.com.au

BLIND

determination If you’re building your dream home (or you just fancy refreshing some tired window dressings) and beautiful blinds are on your must-include list, we’ve got you — and your windows — covered WO RDS CA R ROL BAK E R

ometimes, windows can simply be left bare, especially in beautiful architecturally designed homes. A window might frame captivating views, for example, or invite in buckets of light and sunshine. More often than not, however, some sort of window treatment is needed to provide privacy, soften a space and block out daylight when necessary. Blinds are a brilliant choice, providing options in virtually every colour, style, material and finish. There are also clever new innovations available (including automation) as well as sustainable options for a cleaner, greener planet.

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T H E S OUR CE WINDOW COVERINGS

englishblinds.co.uk

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TH E SOURCE WINDOW COVERINGS

flooringxtra.com.au

STEALING THE SHOW As well as providing control over light and privacy, blinds can make a distinctive style statement. According to Lauren Chan, interior designer at K2LD Architects, blinds can really finish off a space. “In a recent gallery project, we used block-out roller blinds to create a unique design statement, allowing differing canvases/backdrops for art pieces,” she explains. “Not only were the blinds effective in their function, they also became an extension of the space itself — and enhanced the clarity of the interior and the art within.”

LAYER BY LAYER

TOP K2LD Architects and Interiors use roller blinds as an art backdrop ABOVE & BELOW K2LD layer with curtains. Photography by Jeremy Wright Photography

Blinds can also be used effectively with curtains, a layered effect that’s practical but adds interest and style. Lauren says there’s far more to layering than meets the eye. “Layering blinds allows for greater control — whether the focus is complete solar block-out or increasing thermal insulation,” she says.

To keep the layering looking purposeful and high-end, Lauren adds it’s important to do one of two things. “Either keep the blind type consistent and play with differing levels of colour or opacity, or play with a mix of hard and soft blind types, for example pleated or roman blinds with a roller or solar blind.”

THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT Neutral tones have traditionally been favourites, but contemporary blinds are now being manufactured with infusions of colour, as well as bolder palettes and patterns.

Cedar & Suede designer Carlene Duffy says coloured blinds can certainly lift a room and inject a little personality. “People are getting more adventurous in terms of colour, even in blinds, with blues and greens,” she says.

“Even stripes are a classic look, as well as plaid, which works well in cooler areas.”

Carlene adds that the colour and style of blind you choose should be considered in the design phase of the project and not be an afterthought. “If you don’t allow for window dressings and have already styled a room, it can make your choice quite limiting,” she says.

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HEY, HONEY

ABOVE Honeycomb is structured to offer thermal protection. luxaflex.com.au BELOW Turn windows into walls with roller blinds. englishblinds.co.uk

A new concept in window coverings that’s winning industry accolades is honeycomb (also known as cellular) blinds. While they look like venetian blinds, they’re actually one solid (folded) piece rather than individual slats. The honeycomb cells offer a layer of thermal comfort by trapping air, helping to keep cooler rooms comfortable. Like roller blinds, they can allow light to filter through or darken a room to block out the light entirely — your choice. As a bonus, these blinds also reduce energy consumption, an important consideration for those with one eye on the environment.

Luxaflex Window Fashions’ Vera Meharg says there are plenty of good reasons to opt for honeycomb blinds. “The white fabric backing of the Duette Architella Ménage shades provides light reflection and UV protection, as well as a neutral appearance from the outside,” she says, adding, “on the inside of the home, there’s a choice of a wide range of modern colours and stylish designer fabrics with varying opacities to control a preference of heat, light and privacy.”

In testing by Consumer New Zealand, honeycomb blinds came out on top, retaining a whopping 60 per cent of the room’s heat, more than double any other style of blind.

Heavy floor-length curtains managed to retain just 25 per cent.

ROLLER COASTER Rather than take centre stage, roller blinds tend to complement a room’s decor. Traditionally they’ve been used in sleeping zones, but newlook roller blinds are finding their way into other rooms requiring privacy, such as bathrooms and dressing rooms. Roller blinds invite some light to filter through, while maintaining privacy.

In-house stylist Annalese Hay from Flooring Xtra says that even though they’re simple in design, there’s plenty to get excited about in newlook roller blinds. “Gorgeous textures or softly patterned styles add another layer to the interior while being one of the most practical and costeffective window treatment solutions around,” she says.

Annalese adds that the clean lines of a roller blind complement contemporary Australian homes. “They provide all the privacy and light control you want from a window treatment without being too decorative or overwhelming the space visually,” she says. “And all of this while not costing the earth! They are excellent for home renovations, apartment living and the budget-conscious.”

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T H E S OUR CE WINDOW COVERINGS

ABOVE & TOP LEFT Venetians and roller blinds. blindsonline.com.au LEFT Vertical blinds can lend height to a space. englishblinds.co.uk BELOW Add a splash of calm colour to a white space. englishblinds.co.uk

ALL THE VEES Venetians offer the ultimate in control over the environment, with their horizontal slats providing privacy and the ability to control airflow, as well as inviting in plenty of light. Venetians represent great value for money, being one of the most affordable options. Available in several different thicknesses, slimline Venetians are popular.

They’re also available in an array of colours and materials including timber, PVC and aluminium, with each material option again offering plenty of colours. There are pros and cons for each one — aluminium are nice and flexible but can be prone to buckling, while wooden ones look great but can be affected (i.e. warp) if exposed to damp.

Panel glide or vertical blinds are another lowcost option for window treatments. Simple and stylish, they’re ideal for large windows or sliding doors and are very easy to keep clean, as dust tends to fall down and onto the ground, rather than sitting on the slats.

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luxaflex.com.au

blindsonline.com.au

Roman blinds add softness and texture to a space. flooringxtra.com.au

ROMAN TIMES Elegant and timeless, roman shades remain a great choice. They add softness, beauty and texture to a space because of the drapery, yet they also offer functionality, keeping out glare and offering privacy from prying eyes. Roman blinds can be sheer or made from much heavier fabric — it’s good to select depending on the room and its function. They’re also available in several different types and fold sizes.

Annalese says roman blinds are a stylish way to dress a window. “They provide privacy, shade and insulation, and do so in a way that offers a subtle, tailored feel,” she says.

This classic aesthetic offers versatility, too.

Annalese points out that the blinds work well across a diverse range of architectural styles and home interiors. “From a casual coastal look right through to a period home renovation or more contemporary interior, you really can’t go wrong with this classic design.”

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T H E S OUR C E WINDOW COVERINGS

K2LD Architects and Interiors.

Photography by Jeremy Wright Photography

AUTOMATION Smart homes are aptly named. With a simple voice command you can customise your favourite playlist, turn on lights remotely and, of course, close (or open) your blinds while you’re not even at home, thanks to smartphone technology. Vera says homeowners can now have ultimate control of their window coverings to manage shading, energy efficiency and privacy.

“By setting your blinds on a timer, you can make sure that windows are covered and privacy is ensured,” she explains. “The PowerView app is used to create ‘scenes’ with pre-programmed shutter positions, such as raising to greet the dawn, readjusting to deflect the hot afternoon sun, or closing at night to create a private retreat,” she says.

But there’s more in store for those who opt for home automation in blinds: “With PowerView Motorisation, the safety of your home can also be controlled by a simple touch of a button or the sound of your voice.”

The technology has even advanced to lightresponsive systems, taking the consideration of whether your blinds should be up or down completely out of your hands.

And if you’re thinking automation is always a serious cash outlay, think again. Affordable options are appearing all the time, often using rechargeable batteries and fittings no different to normal blinds. Watch out for Ikea’s smart blinds range set to land in Australia any day.

As with most things home design, blinds can be customised to suit your style and requirements. So don’t be shy — cover those windows in style.

englishblinds.co.uk

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Discover the difference of Evo MagnaTrack

11/2019

The true beauty of the Evo MagnaTrack Awning lies deep within its channels. The power of Rare Earth Neodymium Magnets hold the fabric tight, taut and always looking its best. The unparalleled strength of its magnetic channels allows for an impressive span of up to 6.5 metres. It also allows the awning to be left down in windy conditions.

Should the fabric ever come out of its channels, the Evo MagnaTrack is the only straight drop awning in Australia that has a self-correcting feature that effortlessly returns and realigns the fabric. For a smarter solution to shade your home exterior, visit your local Luxaflex showroom and discover the difference of Evo MagnaTrack.

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Outdoors

183 Alfresco wonderland

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Photography Hilary Bradford

Exceptional outdoor design and landscaping

O U T D OOR P R OJ E CT YARRBAT HOUSE

ALFRESCO WONDERLAND Working in harmony with its Dale Fisher-designed digs and promoting indoor-outdoor flow, this green space in Victoria sets the benchmark for family-friendly open-air escapades WO R D S LO U I S E S M I T H E R S P H O T O G R A P H Y H I L A RY B R A D FO R D

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W E LOV E THE COHESIVE PLANTING OF SUCCULENTS AND GRASSES

t’s hard to believe this lush, lowmaintenance garden was once a green thumb’s nightmare. A couple of poor old gum trees had recently fallen in the overgrown garden, but it was nothing Neil Architecture director David Neil couldn’t deal with. As owner/architect, David was hoping to develop a landscape in harmony with the bold and earthy 1970s Dale Fisher-designed home it was attached to. Fast forward to today and the multifaceted green space, punctuated with a pool and outdoor pavilion with brick chimney fireplace, is picture perfect.

“The aim was to achieve a functional and visually beautiful space that could also be appreciated from inside,” David says.

“The pavilion complements the existing architecture with a green roof on top, and the pool serves as a tranquil water feature nestled into the greenery. A tennis court was also planned across the back of the property.”

David and his wife Nessa have four children, so a doubles match is never far away. Intended as a place for relaxation and enjoyment, the outdoor area can cater to small gatherings as easily as more rowdy get-togethers.

Choosing plants he loved and felt suited the style of the house, David used a palette of existing and new materials that mimics the earthy nature of the residence. “The plants were to be striking in their various textures and colours, while also being low maintenance and sympathetic to the style of the original home,” David notes.

A hardy house needs robust flora, and they don’t come much hardier than the succulent family of plants. Intermixed with grasses, the succulents sit alongside deciduous trees planted to inject colour into the landscape.

Creepers such as Boston ivy and Virginia creeper are trained along the wall surfaces and pergola structure for a whimsical, “secret garden” vibe.

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O UT D OOR P R OJ E CT YARRBAT HOUSE

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ED ITO R’ S FAVOUR ITE THE FIREPLACE WITH BRICK CHIMNEY IN THE OUTDOOR PAVILION

Brazilian slate tiles surround the house and yellow stringybark 50mmwide timber decking with grey stain is found underfoot poolside and in the pavilion. “We used sustainable timbers for the decking and ceiling lining in the outdoor pavilion,” David explains.

“We also planted many new trees to make up for the trees we removed, and installed 20,000 litres of water tanks to hydrate the garden.”

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Deep-hued perimeter paling fences act as a subtle backdrop for the Petersen Danish linear bricks used for the fireplace and front fence. Rendered walls surround the pool as they invite growing creepers to set up camp.

Functional and fetching, this outdoor scene is equal parts rugged and refined, and it has us wanting to cartwheel across its pristine lawn. neilarchitecture.com.au

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This edition of Grand Designs Kitchens and Bathrooms has been curated with style-conscious readers in mind. As well as highlighting what is trending right now, this publication will also inspire you to create contemporary spaces that will stand the test of time. There’s something here for every taste, from bright kitchens to moody, luxurious bathrooms and everything between. You’ll find chic options for your surfaces, sinks and taps as well as gorgeous statement mirrors and lighting.

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04

01 02/ SAY IT WITH STREET APPEAL Make an unforgettable first impression with a beautiful front facade. Not only important when buying or selling a home, a stylish face of a house influences how we feel about our homes and provides a sense of satisfaction. Enjoy the natural feel of timber with minimal maintenance with WOODonALI facades. Forget re-coating, sanding or re-sealing — WOODonALI wood-look aluminium batten facades provide a durable design that will last for years to come. Go for a greener, stronger and safer alternative to real timber for privacy and environmental control. woodonali.com.au

03/ MODERN LUXURY IS CHANGING

02

03

Hot

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES 01/ YOU CAN WORK FROM HOME Is your home office calling out for some muchneeded organisation? Answer that call with the sleek Bastian office desk from Icon by Design. The flexible design means you can switch which side of the desk the drawers are on. Nifty, right? Its Scandi influence is apparent from its beautifully

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angled legs to its sleek yet spacious desktop. Three drawers allow for ample storage and keep clutter at bay. Compact proportions make it perfect for your teen’s study nook or your home office. Whether it’s writing, reading or working, the Bastian is so versatile it’s sure to fit right into your home. iconbydesign.com.au

Consumers are redefining luxury. Gone are the days when luxury meant the biggest, the brightest or the most expensive. These days luxury is about authenticity, experience and craftsmanship.

Rather than a larger home, people prefer smaller homes that can be personalised. The same goes for the appliances and fittings. Statement pieces like Morso wood-fired heaters are seeing a resurgence not just for their practical ability (though with smaller, high-thermal-mass homes this is ample), but for their design aesthetic and the timeless homely appeal of having a wood-fired heater in the house. castworks.com.au

04/ SIRIUSLY GOOD RANGEHOODS With the kitchen the hub of the modern Australian home, Sirius has created a range of hoods that bring Italian flair and functionality to this special part of the house. Presenting the new Halo, a rangehood that combines the quiet, powerful extraction of a ceiling cassette with a bright LED light ring to illuminate the cooking area. The spectacular design, brushless onboard motor, remote control and dimmable LED light make this rangehood not only an efficient appliance, but an eye-catching centrepiece of your kitchen. siriusbrand.com

05/ COLOUR CRAZY Bathroom blues got you down? Get playful with the Zimi collection of mixer taps, shower mixers

S H OP P I N G HOT PRODUCTS & SERVICES

05 and outlets with on-trend colours and timeless pairings.

With more than 27 colour and finish combinations there for the taking, break out the blush pink or powder blue for pastel perfection, or the forever-sleek matt black or chrome. The fixture bases are available in chrome, brushed nickel or matt black, while the colour options include three distinct styles of neutrals, pastels or complementary metallics. Personalise your home with unique tapware to either stand out or complement your space. phoenixtapware.com.au

06 07

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06/ THE (SILK)STONE HENGE Introducing the Silkstone Henge bath by Faucet Strommen — a meticulously handcrafted design statement of luxury bathing. The pure round shape and generous proportions bring a sense of opulence and grandeur to a space. Unique dual-wall construction offers a comfortable, contoured interior while maintaining a beautifully sculptured exterior.

These baths come with a sleek built-in overflow, white Silkstone pop-up waste and are complete with a 25-year warranty. Prepare for some serious R&R. faucetstrommen.com.au

07/ TWO-IN-ONE COOKING There are many things to consider when purchasing a new cooktop. Think design, performance and cost.

One of the main dilemmas is whether to opt for a gas or induction model, but with the Duo Fusion II this dilemma is solved. ASKO’s Duo Fusion II is a unique 90cm cooktop combining two energy sources — induction and gas cooking — in the one unit. The result is one of the most flexible cooktops on the market.

This cooktop also includes the powerful Volcano wok burner. The flexibility of the Duo Fusion II allows you to concentrate on wok cooking while an induction auto program prepares complementary aspects of the meal.

Get cooking! asko.com.au

08/ OUR GREATEST FAN Summer has arrived and for Australians this means hitting the beach or lounging around their homes. Our

hot tip for staying cool indoors is to keep the air circulating and escape the heat with a stylish, aerodynamic ceiling fan. Awarded most silent ceiling fan in Australia by Choice magazine, the handcrafted wooden blades of the Milano Slider Junior are unmatchable. Designed for indoor and outdoor use, this stunning fan not only cools down your house, but creates a pleasant ambience with a perfect combination of class and style. With free shipping Australiawide, you won’t even have to leave the cool of your own home. Available with a dimmable light and in five different timber finishes — don’t wait for the temperature to get even hotter! fanscity.com.au

self-cleaning. Now manufactured for the Australian market, the Neorest is certified with Water Mark and 4 Star WELS. TOTO Bathroomware is available at ACS Designer Bathrooms in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. acsbathrooms.com.au

09/ PRECISION AND DURABILITY Introducing a new level of automation and luxury for your bathroom. The Neorest Series

by TOTO seamlessly combines state-of-the art technology with compact design, offering the only all-in-one solution in today’s market.

The Neorest suite features a cyclonic flushing system, heated seat, hands-free flushing, warm air dryer, programmable night light, air purifier, auto seat sensor function, energysaver function, remote control — and it’s

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191

10/ DOOR TO DOOR Whatever the style of your build, invite the outdoors in with Paarhammer sliding doors.

Enjoy flexibility and functionality with the choice of sliding doors, stacker doors, corner sliders and giant sliders. Custom-made in Australia for Australian conditions, double- or triple-glazed doors feature a double layer of seals. Drafts won’t be a problem either, with retractable carriages forming an airtight seal. Security locking ensures peace of mind and recessed thresholds offer step-free accessibility. These highly energyefficient products are easily operated with a turn of the handle, even the giant sliders. Bring a bit of style to your entranceway! paarhammer.com.au

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11/ SHRUB HUB How do you turn a house into a home? With a touch of nature, of course! Choosing the right plants isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds.

Whether you’re after a leafy friend who’ll sit tight in a darker corner or something smaller for a windowsill, have a chat with the experts to make your space the perfect green haven. The awardwinning team at Phillip Withers Landscape Design is offering one-off consultations at the Shrub Hub or via Skype so you can pick the professionals’ brains. Enjoy a tour through a plant-lover’s haven. Limited appointments available for this exciting opportunity. Stay green! phillipwithers.com

12/ FREEDOM TO CREATE

11

Take a step towards an energy-efficient, contemporary home with Dowell’s new DesignerLine range of aluminium windows and doors. The new range features hinged doors in a selection of standard configurations and can be coupled with arch head Hi-Lite and fixed Hi-Lite. Options also include fixed, awning, double hung or louvre windows coupled with Side-Lite. Versatile and boasting an aesthetically pleasing design, DesignerLine hinged doors are durable, low-maintenance, easy-clean aluminium profiles with robust frames and heavy-duty Euro hinges. Enjoy the choice of Low E and doubleglazed glass for maximum energy efficiency. dowell.com.au

13/ FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

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Welcome visitors from the moment they arrive with an inviting front door. Catering to the rise in popularity of taller, wider, more welcoming doors, The Woodworkers Company has released an expanded range of door designs to make your entry inviting and stylish. New designs include the breezy Hampshire style (pictured), which is available in single- or multi-light versions, the timeless Cricket Bat Victorian door and the industrial-chic Barn door. The new designs augment the largest range of solid cedar doors and windows available in Australia. Find the right door by visiting The Woodworkers Company’s showrooms in Brisbane and Sydney, and on Queensland’s Gold and Sunshine Coasts. woodworkers.com.au

S H OP P I N G HOT PRODUCTS & SERVICES

14/ THE FINISHING TOUCH As anyone working in the construction industry would know — you’re only as good as your materials. Combining the latest technology with over 90 years of experience, LOBA has created a high-quality finish for wood and cork flooring. LOBA On Top ticks all the boxes, being environmentally friendly, hard-wearing, easy to apply and with a 50 per cent higher scratch resistance than its competitors. The ceramicreinforced polyurethane finish is made to last, while also enhancing the natural colour and beauty of your flooring for the best effect. Make the most of your investment by finishing your flooring well.

1300 PH LOBA

15/ SHAPE OF YOU It’s time to get creative in your garden. FormBoss® is the benchmark in safe, durable, strong and flexible garden edging. Quick, easy to install and available throughout Australia, it creates professional results with strong, seamless lines.

Established as the edge of choice in commercial and public spaces, FormBoss® has now become a proven favourite in domestic garden design. Made local in Melbourne from high quality Australia BlueScope steel, expect this hardy edging to stand the test of time. Ready-made three tiered planters and rings make an instant feature in any garden and are perfect for growing your own kitchen garden!

Whether big or small, FormBoss® is an edging solution for all. formboss.com.au

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16/ SEEING (INFRA)RED Mmmm, a long afternoon in a sauna. iHealth Saunas, operating since 2002, brings the heat to your home. Offering the only outdoor barrel infrared sauna in Australia, iHealth Saunas combines the latest technology with stylish design. Enjoy the traditional sauna experience with the added benefits of infrared therapy in your own backyard. The sauna is built from Canadian cedar with traditional shingle roofing, an adjustable temperature control panel, colour light therapy and Bluetooth sound system.

Experience an invigorating tingle from the comfort of your own home. Indoor and custom sauna designs are also available with iHealth Saunas.

Free delivery and installation Australia-wide. ihealthsaunas.com.au

recommended method to seal your kitchen from pests, so it’s worth ensuring your cabinetmaker is installing this great product. harpindustries.com.au/cabiseal

18/ A LIGHT BULB MOMENT A new interpretation of the Beam collection characterised by a shaded glass sphere, the Beam Stick Nuance light manufactured by Olev and designed by Marc Sadler makes a statement. The charm of traditional blown glass is combined with Beam’s lighting characteristics for an efficient and refined suspension lamp. The shaded glass softens the light while still brightening a space. Available in different colours to suit your space. italstyle.com.au

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17/ SEAL OF APPROVAL Style, function and quality are the ingredients of a great kitchen design. With so many new products and hardware options to choose from, one fitting hidden from plain sight has become a standard addition. Recognised by leading kitchen designers, the patented Cabiseal fitting offers a seamless finish to dishwasher installations by locking onto the base of cabinetry to seal the plumbing line holes. Used and recommended by Miele, among other respected brands, this Australian-made solution comes complete with a handy online guide on dishwasher purchase, installation requirements and construction methods, so you’ll be making an informed decision. Cabiseal is also part of a

19/ UNIQUELY YOURS It’s a rare pleasure to find basins that bear the unmistakable signs of having passed through the hands of skilled crafts people. Machinery can never replicate the subtle idiosyncrasies and originality of designs unique to ceramics decorated by hand. It’s this human influence, combined with Robert Gordon’s obsession for quality, that results in a world-class collection. Proudly Australian-made, Robert Gordon draws from more than 60 years of creating to bring you an incredible range of bespoke bathroom basins. With three different shapes and six reactive style glazes to choose from, it’s time to bring home something uniquely yours. robertgordonaustralia.com

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Project Northcote Vinegar Factory from Grand Designs Australia , series 6, episode 10. Photography Rhiannon Slatter

Expert Advice

Get the low-down from industry professionals

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01

01 Surry Hills Very Small House from Grand Designs Australia series 1, episode 2 02 & 03 Yellingbo Artist’s House from Grand Designs Australia series 2, episode 8

CREATING A

home office space “It’s all in the mind…”

WO R D S P E T E C O LQ U H O U N

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orking from home has its attractions.

Sitting around in your PJs, getting a few hours of work done before ducking out for a coffee. But being a oneman band means you’re the IT, marketing, accounting department all in one, plus the driver of ideas.

Over the years I’ve worked in both large and small architectural offices and in recent years found myself working from home and guilty of being distracted by any number of excuses. The question is what type of space do you need to be productive without going stir crazy. Recently I interviewed a business coach for my podcast series Better Ideas. Merilyn Wilson Beretta is a trained architect who has some very interesting approaches to helping people achieve their potential working from home.

Keep in mind that around 3.6 per cent of people who talk about starting a home business actually do it, and 90 per cent of those who do actually start that home business fail. A daunting statistic. It seems having the right mindset is as important, if not more important, than creating a nice space to work from. The “mental office” as opposed to the “physical office”… stick with me.

Let’s talk physical office first. Of course, you need a good internet connection, ideally a light-filled room on the northern side of your home with a combination of natural and task lighting. A desk lamp as opposed to an overhead or ceiling light is very important.

The reason — a pool of light directly over the task focuses your eyes and attention as opposed to a blanket of light from the ceiling that may illuminate myriad other distractions around you.

Having a computer up against a window, or even adjacent to one, can make screens difficult to see. Blinds or curtains are essential in taming and controlling natural light. Interestingly, while we may spend the majority of our day looking at screens, initial concepts and the brainstorming of ideas are best written down on paper by hand before being typed. The physical act of using the hand and making a mark frees up the imagination unlike the mechanical rhythm of a keyboard or the pushing of a cursor.

Good acoustics is important as well. Total silence is not ideal, nor are sharp sudden sounds. Our primeval ears are attuned to pick up potential danger, thus distracting focus.

Ambient music is a great way of masking

E X P E RT A DV I CE ARCHITECTURE

disturbing noise like car alarms and other urban wildlife. Traditionally, home libraries or reading rooms by definition were lined with books, dampening sound and making the room more acoustically attractive. Soft furnishings, carpets or rugs will help achieve the same acoustic outcomes.

The home office can be any space in the home — a spare bedroom or unused corner — somewhere you can distinguish from the rest of the house. To make the mental shift from home to productive work space, you should have at least one thing that makes it unique and comfortable to be in. It may be as simple as a special cushion, a scented burner, a particular plant, an art piece… something unrelated to work but an item that relaxes you and isn’t found anywhere else in the home.

Now, let’s look at creating the right mental office — having the right attitude to be able to work effectively on your own. Dealing with setbacks and scheduling enough sleep when you literally take your work home with you are just some of the challenges of working in isolation. The other thing to remember is our bodies are programmed to be cautious of change, such as a new environment.

Setting up a home office and being disciplined enough to work from home is not as straightforward as getting an ergonomic chair and a “do not disturb” sign.

One of the biggest factors is how your perception of time may change. In the corporate world you’re expected to turn up “on time”, head off for lunch between 1pm and 2pm, then “clock off ” in time to catch the right bus or train. This highly regulated scaling of time is a relatively new phenomenon. In the past we managed time according to the seasons or daylight hours. Our working days were governed by nature as opposed to trains, buses and “office hours”.

Working from home we can become more attuned to our own biological rhythms and work when we feel most energetic — but a combination and understanding of regular clock time and personal “rhythmic time” needs to be acknowledged and balanced. Both are valid and the happy medium can be the most productive. I believe having a ticking clock on the wall is not helpful as it puts more weight on linear time. This may be helpful to make deadlines but can stifle creativity. You must give yourself permission to employ both methods of time and value each. You should also start work sessions with the big creative

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tasks when you’re most energised and attend to emails and finer detail later.

There can be no doubt that selfmotivation is the key to productivity when working from home. No matter how great you think working from home is or how beautiful a space you create, to be successful in any home business you must get out and discuss your ideas with others.

In architecture, for example, there are many highly successful designers who work alone and often from home.

The profession recognises this and encourages these sole practitioners to get together on a regular basis and rewards

this collegiate sharing with credit points, which go towards our registration every year. This is important in all walks of home office ventures.

A good home office can be as simple as the kitchen table or the flexible corner of a room as long as you can focus on the task and limit distractions, acknowledging that there’ll be plenty of them. A successful home office has a lot to do with understanding the challenges of working on your own. Creating a designated pleasant space is the easy bit; embracing the right mindset is the real challenge, along with a comfy chair.

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E XPERT ADVIC E BUILDING

The greening REVOLUTION Eco has got to be the way to go WO R D S C H R I S K N I E R I M

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e are now living in the age of the concrete jungle. With its strength, durability and low cost, reinforced concrete brought about this revolution in architecture, in turn allowing the construction of much taller buildings. In today’s society, however, where sustainability is in focus, the popularity of concrete as a building material is dwindling.

The built environment currently accounts for 25 per cent of Australia’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and 39 per cent of global CO2 emissions, making the construction industry one of the least environmentally friendly industries in the world.

Extracting raw materials, such as cement, is inexpensive and therefore very common, but this comes with a significant cost to the environment.

According to the International Energy Agency, the cement sector is the third-largest industrial energy consumer and the secondlargest industrial CO2 emitter. Cement production accounts for around seven per cent of total global industrial energy use and about 7 per cent of global emissions.

Companies within the construction industry are becoming increasingly aware of just how unsustainable many of these practices are, and have realised how important it is to change their material selections and production techniques for the environment and future generations.

Many companies realise that change is inevitable and it’s these companies that are emerging as the innovators.

Inspired to lower construction’s carbon footprint, a number of Australian companies have started producing carbon-neutral products.

Brickworks Building Products, for example, has produced Australia’s first carbon-neutral brick. The Carbon Neutral certification of Daniel Robertson and Austral Bricks (Tasmania) products is largely achieved by the use of a unique fuel for kiln firing at the company’s Longford plant in Tasmania. The fuel is sawdust, a biomass and byproduct of the local timber industry. This use of biomass — biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms — instead of fossil

fuels is largely responsible for the Longford plant’s low carbon dioxide emissions; it produces just 215 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is about the same as 12 average Australian households. In contrast, a conventional natural gas-fired kiln of the same capacity could emit almost 8000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

The Brickworks Longford plant achieves a 97.35 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to other conventional kiln-fired plants across Australia.

Designers in Australia are also coming up with innovative ways to create buildings that have minimal impact on the environment.

Companies are starting to design buildings that consider the environment not only at the completion of the build, but during the construction process too.

Building designers from the Building Designers Association of Australia evaluate every project that they are involved with to ensure they meet their own green guidelines.

As part of their process, some develop waste management and environmental impact plans for each project.

Their waste management plan ensures that all parts of any existing structure or element within a building that is to be demolished or removed is done so with minimal impact on the local environment. Materials are separated and prepared for reuse, and any materials that cannot be reused are sent to local recycling depots. Their environmental impact plans provide an insight into how each product used on the project affects the environment, as well as the environmental efficiency of the completed building.

All projects have water storage tanks installed prior to the commencement of any construction work. To capture the rainwater, the ground surface is prepared by being flattened, and pathways are created from all areas of the surface into the perimeter drains, which are located around the building envelope to transfer the rainwater into the water storage tank. The stored water is used during the construction process for site toilets, cleaning and use by trades. Upon practical completion, the stored water will be used to flush the toilets, for washing machines and for irrigation.

The building designers have been using this principle for many years, with staff trained in minimising and sorting waste for reuse onsite or for recycling with other projects or by other people. They set their own strict site limitations, which helps them reinforce the benefits of detailed planning for all projects both prior to and during construction.

These design leaders are setting new benchmarks for sustainable building in the wider industry. They research and source the

latest technologies available and draw on their experience in the field to create something more than a one-off design.

Companies are changing the way we think about, live and work in buildings across the globe. Their vision is to integrate green space into urban environments and incorporate ecologically sound development into the core and character of each project.

It’s important that at the design stage, companies consider material choices that will have the least environmental impact, yet still provide the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal needed. Every chosen building material should be used with an eye on eco-efficiency.

To revolutionise current practices, the public and private sectors must work closely together. What the industry needs most is a fundamental shift away from minimising production costs at any expense, towards considering the long-

term cost all design decisions will have on the environment.

It’s time to transform our cities from concrete jungles to seas of green.

Chris Knierim sits on the board of the Australian Design Alliance and is the CEO of Code Green. codegreen.com.au

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Go inside some of Sydneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most interesting contemporary residential architecture with our popular Residential Bus Tours.

The Peekaboo House designed by Carter Williamson was one of the residences we visited in our Residential Bus Tour in December 2018. The architect of each house explained their design concepts, shared interesting stories of the design and construction processes while showing us through the spaces.

Subscribe to our e-Newsletter on our website and be amongst WKH ÂżUVW WR NQRZ DERXW IXWXUH 5HVLGHQWLDO %XV 7RXUV

residential bus tours Photograph courtesy of Carter Williamson. Photographer: Brett Boardman

www.architecture.org.au

INDEX

AAA................................................................................... 200 ACS Designer Bathrooms............................................8 Amber Tiles .......................................................................48 ASKO..................................................................................... 19 Cabiseal ............................................................................ 153 Capital .................................................................................40 Castworks.......................................................................... 25 Cosh Outdoor Living .................................................IFC Dowell Windows ...............................................................6 Duravit .................................................................................. 21 Faucet Strommen.......................................................... 23

Flooring Xtra................................................................... 165 Greenlines FormBoss............................................... IBC iHealth Saunas.................................................................. 14 Loba ...................................................................................... 83 Luke Fry...............................................................................60 Luxaflex.............................................................................180 Milano Fans........................................................................73 National Tiles....................................................................58 Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea & Sons Builders................................. 105, 106 Paarhammer Windows..............................................175 Perpetual Products .................................................... 144

Phillip Withers Landscape Design........................ 12 Phoenix Tapware.......................................................OBC Prestige Carpets ..............................................................17 Satara ................................................................................... 33 Schots Home Emporium..............................................4 Sirius.................................................................................... 156 The Woodworkers Company...................................10 Trend Windows............................................................. 170 Wood on Ali .......................................................................74 Zip Water.......................................................................... 148

Photography Dion Robeson

Index

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EX PERT ADVI C E ASK OUR ARCHITECT

Ask our Architect Editor-at-large Peter Maddison answers your questions

Q

We’ve just watched the Elsternwick house episode of Grand Designs Australia, which featured a car stacker in the front driveway. We have a small terrace house in Melbourne with limited area. Is a stacker a workable solution for car storage, and is it affordable?

Kerry, Vic In the case of Morgan and Lori’s house in Elsternwick, the car stacker made good sense. However, when looking at the practicality, I worry about the safety of having a car lifting and lowering into an open pit.

Currently there’s no regulation around safety fencing, cordoning off this device as you would for a swimming pool. There’s also the issue of shuffling cars in and out of a single car space to get the car you’re after.

As far as the cost goes, added to the capital cost of the device is the excavation, pits and pumps to deal with stormwater and retaining walls.

Make sure you have a good maintenance contract with a service team readily available. You’d hate for it to break down when you’re in a hurry.

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Q

What’s your opinion on the use of corrugated iron? We’re renovating our Victorian farmhouse, which has a corrugated iron roof and verandah all around. It’s galvanised iron, we think, not Zincalume. We want to add on to our old farmhouse with an extension and are wondering about the character of this addition, i.e. whether we should be faithful to the 1880s character or do something completely different.

Peter, Vic Corrugated iron is a wonderful material and comes in all sorts of finishes, whether it’s Colorbond coated (in either gloss or matt) or left natural. The galvanised finish will weather more quickly and become dull compared to the Zincalume finish. For longevity, a Colorbond finish will be best, although I love the galvanised finish. If your building is in its original state, you may choose to gap off any addition so it can have its own contemporary character.

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Q

If you could build anywhere in Australia, where would you recommend? I’ve just had a massive windfall so price is not a big deal to me. We ask this knowing you’ve travelled extensively in Australia, so thought you’d be the perfect person to ask.

Mark, NSW Lucky you! My favourite parts of Australia revolve around the coastline, as I have “water in my veins”. If you have a similar persuasion, I’d check out the South Coast of New South Wales, between Narooma and Ulladulla.

Fraser Island is beautiful although remote. Cape Tribulation is exotic. The islands north of Hamilton Island are spectacular, and if you don’t mind rugging up, the East Coast of Tassie, right down to Bruny Island, is still untouched and affordable. With a 10,000km coastline, of course, there are a few other options.

A Elsternwick House from Grand Designs Australia series 8, episode 2

Q

My wife and I have spent 20 years maintaining our house, which we built from scratch. We’re tired of the maintenance and upkeep. If we were to build again, what would you recommend to cut down on the workload? Owning and looking after your own home has hairs on it!

Harry, WA Size size size. The bigger the house, the more surface area you have to deal with. The average Australian home is approximately 260sqm, the biggest average in the world. Of course, there are many homes bigger than this, which yours probably is. If we in Australia could get our head around a modest building size, you probably wouldn’t be asking me this question.

On a more practical level, eave overhang and verandahs do a lot to keep the harsh Australian sun and weather off the external skin of the building.

Building science has moved a lot over the last 20 years, and there are many more bulletproof products like higher-spec Colorbond and roofing systems, more robust window and door systems, interior finishes that aren’t necessarily painted, and buildings that don’t require expensive heating and cooling systems due to better insulation. To understand these products, you’ll need to either do research or find an expert to guide you.

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Q&A — Need Peter ’s help?

Email your queries to homedesign@umco.com.au

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