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Striking modern beach house in Mornington
The brief for this striking beach house designed by Clare Cousins Architects was to provide additional accommodation to an existing 1970’s Merchant Builder’s home in Mornington, Victoria, Australia. Located on a sloping block, the existing single storey house is sited well back on the block with limited access to ocean views. Rather than demolish or renovate the existing building the architects approach was to keep the building intact and design a new pavilion to sit adjacent to the original at the front of the site. The new pavilion includes a new master bedroom wing with living room and deck for outdoor dining that captures broad views of Port Philip Bay. Planning regulations permit only first floor structures that are located over car parking or storage areas which informed the elevated ‘stilt’ design. Timber construction is used holistically both internally and externally while an enclosed circulation stair clad in translucent polycarbonate connects the original to the new structure.
Photos: Shannon McGrath
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Stylish contemporary family home in Melbourne
The Hawthorn Residence has been designed and constructed by Canny Design, creating a workable harmony of clever design and functional family living space in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The initial client brief was to create a home that would allow independent living zones for the needs of the growing family. With three teenage boys the home allows ample breakout spaces for the children to be active and yet still enjoy the togetherness of combined family areas. The clients required a new home with a traditional facade to the compliment the streetscape, yet a more contemporary feel as one moved through to the rear of the home.
The front rooms took on a traditional feel, whilst the rear presented more modern attributes. The rear of the home showcases a distinctive curved pool house with expansive pool outlook. Dual outdoor entertaining areas with canopy skylights and recessed alfresco heaters allow for continuous enjoyment throughout all seasons. All of these elements were carefully integrated and designed with the landscape.
The highly detailed cellar is perhaps the standout feature of this residence. The cellar comes complete with a 2,000 unit wine storage, Vintec wine fridge, tasting bench, sink and luxe wooden joinery, the room carries an understated opulence and serves as a unique entertaining area for intimate dinner parties and tastings.
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Stunning Australian home showcasing clean lines
When the owners of this Canterbury property in Victoria, Australia were briefing the architects at Canny Design of their requirements for their new home, the wish list included a clean line and functional architectural home. Outdoor enthusiasts, they stipulated that a water feature and an alfresco area be a component of the outdoor space – viewable from all the main rooms, whilst taking advantage of the northerly aspect.
Whilst the home carries a somewhat modest facade, it’s the interior and rear components that really set the tone of this casually sophisticated property. With four bedrooms, four-car basement garage, two-and-a-half bathrooms, cellar and four living areas, it encapsulates everything the clients could possibly imagine. Everything about this home is state-of-the-art, from the Jetmaster fireplace and integrated barbecue in the pool house, to the dumb waiter and $15,000 custom built glass pane from the study outlook to pool, no expense was spared in creating this perfectly tuned home.
The Canny Design team exceeded the expectations of the clients with a stunning lap pool and water feature combination, with the ‘floating deck’ a focal point of the overall entertaining area. The granite external cladding on feature walls and thoughtful use of timber assist with the seamless integration of the home’s functional and aesthetic components. The fully-tiled pool with granite stepping stones marries in beautifully with the stonework of the adjacent alfresco area; and the spotted gum decking flows from the polished floorboards of the main living area to provide an inviting exterior island oasis. The 15×2 m lap lane adds functionality to the pool, whilst continuing the theme of a wrap-around water feature. The pool is fitted with in-floor cleaning, solar heating and premium filtration to keep it looking perfect year-round with minimum fuss.
Canny, renowned as one of Melbourne’s leading design and construction companies, have an in-house team of architects and interior designers who have the combined capacity to create a truly unique concepts. With all services under one roof, from design, engineering, documentation and construction, Canny provides an integrated solution and coordinated approach to even the most demanding and intricate projects.
Photos: Courtesy of Canny Design
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A modern conversion of an historic warehouse
An historic warehouse has been converted into an incredible home on Northumberland Street in Collingwood, Victoria, Australia. Working on the interior of the project was Australian design studio Herniman + Interiors. The project required sensitive design, mixing the charm of the existing brick structure, steel staircase and historic balconies with the modern requirements of a travelling family. The aesthetic is both comfortable and slick, using a palette of monochromatic finishes mixed with warm bamboo flooring and splashes of “Asia”. Co-coordinating with a client that was mostly out of the country required heightened attention to detail and good communication.
Photos: Courtesy of Herniman + Interiors
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Beach dwelling melds into the coastal landscape
The House at Big Hill is situated near Victoria, Australia’s Great Ocean Road, characterized by a restrained material palette and singular form by Kerstin Thompson Architects. The triangular plan, semi-recessed into the sloping site, is orientated to take advantage of the 180 degree views towards the townships of Lorne and Airey’s Inlet and of Bass Strait through a filter of mature eucalyptus. Responding to the client’s preference for a solid building a natural grey concrete block was selected for the walls, both inside and out. In combination with a black ceiling and dark roof the 2,583 square foot (240 square meters) house is effectively camouflaged within its bush landscape.
The interior has an intimate quality achieved through the careful modulation of natural light and shadow and the use of timber accents which offset the concrete floors and blockwork walls. Views are captured by picture frame windows that become spaces to occupy through deep reveals and window seats. A contrast to the lightweight beach house this dwelling instead provides a solid retreat from which to contemplate the extremes of this beautiful west coast landscape.
Photos: Trevor Mein
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A serene oasis in Melbourne: One Hot Yoga
We just received photos of this incredible brand new yoga studio called “One Hot Yoga.” The first hot yoga studio of its kind, maintaining 37 degrees with an efficient natural heating and fresh air ventilation system. The studio is a fresh, contemporary, luxe space situated in River Street, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia. Robert Mills Architects has a reputation for world class luxury residential design, such as this recent post Sorrento House, and his skills have now been applied to create a serene oasis in a densely urban corner of Melbourne’s inner city.
Robert facilitates effortlessly comfortable spaces – design that doesn’t shout at you or demands your attention, but just effects peace, ease and uplifts the spirit.
The philosophy is kept simple and practical in this studio, avoiding woolliness and mysticism. This is directly reflected in the design of each individual space from the paired back change rooms with recycled oak benches, to the polished concrete floor of the practice studio on the first floor.
“The studio employs a natural radiant heating and fresh air system –it feels like a balmy summer day with a fresh breeze, rather than smelling like old gym socks and suffocating forced air. The hydronic system is the lowest energy use system in Melbourne, so it is better for the environment. Ultimately Robert has achieved a truly beautiful space where people can experience the wisdom and bliss of yoga.”
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Photos: Courtesy of Robert Mills Architects
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Magnificent steel and glass Vancouver Island home
This charismatic property spotted on Sotheby’s Realty is a true architectural masterpiece of glass, concrete and steel, confidently poised on a mountain top in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Soaring walls of glass create luminous interiors and artfully frame ocean and mountain vistas. Equipped for comfort and sanctuary this 7,100 square foot home with four bedrooms and seven bathrooms is perfect for entertaining. The home features open plan living and stunning suspended fireplaces, premium custom fitted indoor kitchen with Canadian walnut cabinets and black granite counters, gym, art gallery, den, wine cellar, elevator, outdoor kitchen, grand decks and patios with landscaped gardens, two private deluxe guest suites, nanny suite, serine master bedroom and an elegant spa bathroom.
This remarkable property is listed for sale at $2,950,000, from here.
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Charming farmhouse nestled on sprawling gardens
This beautiful farm house called ‘Fern Vale’ features unforgettable experience on every level, in the town of Woodend, Victoria, Australia. Upon entering through the enchanting entrance covered with holly, the winding drive arrives at the large rambling homestead in total seclusion. With effortless style throughout it works for today’s lifestyle with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and large living spaces taking advantage of the soothing garden vistas and enormous views to the north.
The gardens are a mixture of structured hedging and park lands centered on the stunning spring fed lake. The farm is nestled on 54 acres of rich volcanic soils including pristine remnant forest. Fern Vale’s importance has been recognized in The Australian Magazine, as voted in the top 10 lifestyles properties in Australia.
What do you think, could you see yourself living here? This gorgeous property is listed for sale from here.
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Exceptionally designed Balnarring Beach House
Balnarring House has been designed by Simon Couchman Architects and is situated in Balnarring Beach, Victoria, Australia. The brief called for a family holiday house where family could be together but not on top of one another. While sympathetic to its surroundings of tea-tree and banksia trees, the design of the house seeks to make use of the entire site. The single level U-shaped building steps up towards the rear of the block following the gentle slope of the land. An integrated landscape solution helps to create a series of indoor and outdoor spaces.
The front wing provides a sleeping zone away from the main living areas. A family room here can be opened to the central courtyard and also to a fully-secured front yard defined by a curved, vertical batten fence which arcs back to the house, connecting to a curved wall leading visitors to the front door. A glazed corridor links entry and family wing to the rear living areas with a free-standing spine wall concealing a smaller private courtyard addressed only by the master bedroom and study.
The main living area flows directly onto the central space via fully retractable bi-fold doors. Terraced decking offers casual seating and connects to a covered BBQ area incorporating outdoor eating with a pass-through window to the kitchen. Black painted cement sheet panel and raw hardwood timber cladding used externally merge inside the house in places contrasting against the clean white interior plaster shell. Full height glazing and slot windows frame the landscape and further allow the outdoor spaces to flow through the house.
Visit the website of Simon Couchman Architects here.
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An historic contemporary retreat in the mountains
For a contemporary take on the traditional Australian homestead, look no further than The Kilns in Victoria’s High Country. Converted from the historic corrugated-iron tobacco-drying shacks that were common in this region in the 1950s, they feature polished, heated concrete floors, washed timber interiors, soaring ceilings, and picture windows framing the rural landscape as well as chic yet simple designer finishes: Italian furniture, cowhide rugs and wood fires are just the start. It’s a country retreat with every modern convenience. The Kilns is actually two separate retreats. The first, Cavedon’s Kilnhouse, has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, one includes a spa (there are bunk beds in the third bedroom) in two restored kilns. Panoramic views over Mount Feathertop from a long desk make this an ideal escape for writers. Located far enough away to ensure privacy is Chinaman’s Kilnhouse with two bedrooms and an internal courtyard. Surrounded by vineyards and farmland, both houses offer rural seclusion in an area renowned for skiing in winter, cycling and hiking in the warmer months, and exceptional food and wine year round.
This exclusive vacation rental ranges from $268 a cottage/ night for two (Monday-Thursday) $390 for four (Friday-Sunday, and public/school holidays) from here.
