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Mantis Design + Build, LLCTo create a luxurious showering experience and as though you were being bathed by rain from the clouds high above, a large 16 inch rain shower was set up inside the skylight well.
Photography by Paul Linnebach
Tye ArchitectsClient’s brief
A modern replacement dwelling designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings while prioritizing high-quality design and sustainability. It is crafted to preserve the site's openness through clever landscape integration, minimizing its environmental impact.
The dwelling provides five bedrooms, five bathrooms, an open-plan living arrangement, two studies, reception/family areas, utility, storage, and an integral double garage. Furthermore, the dwelling also includes a guest house with two bedrooms and one bathroom, as well as a pool house/leisure facility.
Programme
The original 72-week programme was extended due to COVID and lockdown. Following lockdown, there were issues with supplies and extra works were requested by the clients (tennis court, new landscape, etc.). It took around two years to complete with extra time allocated for the landscaping.
Materials
The construction of the building is based on a combination of traditional and modern techniques.
Structure: reinforced concrete + steel frame
External walls: concrete block cavity walls clad in natural stone (bonded). First floor has areas of natural stone ventilated facade.
Glazing: double glazing with solar protection coating and aluminium frames.
Roof and terraces: ceramic finish RAF system
Flooring: timber floor for Sky Lounge and Lower Ground Floor. Natural stone for Upper Ground Floor and ceramic tiles for bathrooms.
Landscape and access: granite setts and granite stepping stones.
Budget constraints
The original project had to be adjusted which implied some value engineering and redesign of some areas including removing the pond, heated pool, AC throughout.
How the project contributes to its environment
Due to the sensitive location within the Metropolitan Green Belt, we carefully considered the scale and massing to achieve less impact than that of the existing. Our strategy was to develop a proposal which integrates within the setting.
The dwelling is built into the landscape, so the lower ground floor level is a partial basement opening towards the rear, capturing downhill views over the site. The first-floor element is offset from the external envelope, reducing its appearance. The dwelling adopts a modern flat roof design lowering the roof finish level and reducing its impact.
The proposed material palette consists of marble and limestone; natural material providing longevity. Marble stone finishes the lower ground floor levels, meeting the landscape. The upper ground floor has a smooth limestone finish, with contemporary architectural detailing. The mirror glazed box on top of the building containing the Sky Lounge appears as a lighter architectural form, sitting on top of the heavier, grounded form below and nearly disappearing reflecting the surrounding trees and sky.
The project aims to minimize waste disposal by treating foul water through a treatment plant and discharging surface water back to the ground. It incorporates a highly efficient Ground Source Heat Pump system that is environmentally friendly, and the house utilizes MVHR to significantly reduce heat loss. The project features high-spec insulation throughout to minimize heat loss.
Experience of occupants
The clients are proud of the house, the fantastic design (a landmark in the area) and the everyday use of the building.
building Lab, inc.Silicon Valley ADU: modern powder room: very pale pastel coloration is introduced to add interest to the mix.
building Lab is a design build firm specialized in modern architecture.
KraftMaster RenovationsModern black and white en-suite with basket weave floor tile, black double vanity with slab doors and a large shower with black metropolitan glass enclosure.
Photos by VLG Photography
NB Interiors UKA small galley kitchen was fully refurbished with new flooring, walls tiled, new kitchen doors and worktop plus a statement bespoke extractor hood for the ultimate wow factor.
Bynn Esmond DesignsCustom european style cabinets, hidden kitchen concept, procelain walls, white on white modern kitchen
Amazing SpacesThis is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room.
Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items.
The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.
Limitless BuildingSettled within a graffiti-covered laneway in the trendy heart of Mt Lawley you will find this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home.
The owners; a young professional couple wanted to build a raw, dark industrial oasis that made use of every inch of the small lot. Amenities aplenty, they wanted their home to complement the urban inner-city lifestyle of the area.
One of the biggest challenges for Limitless on this project was the small lot size & limited access. Loading materials on-site via a narrow laneway required careful coordination and a well thought out strategy.
Paramount in bringing to life the client’s vision was the mixture of materials throughout the home. For the second story elevation, black Weathertex Cladding juxtaposed against the white Sto render creates a bold contrast.
Upon entry, the room opens up into the main living and entertaining areas of the home. The kitchen crowns the family & dining spaces. The mix of dark black Woodmatt and bespoke custom cabinetry draws your attention. Granite benchtops and splashbacks soften these bold tones. Storage is abundant.
Polished concrete flooring throughout the ground floor blends these zones together in line with the modern industrial aesthetic.
A wine cellar under the staircase is visible from the main entertaining areas. Reclaimed red brickwork can be seen through the frameless glass pivot door for all to appreciate — attention to the smallest of details in the custom mesh wine rack and stained circular oak door handle.
Nestled along the north side and taking full advantage of the northern sun, the living & dining open out onto a layered alfresco area and pool. Bordering the outdoor space is a commissioned mural by Australian illustrator Matthew Yong, injecting a refined playfulness. It’s the perfect ode to the street art culture the laneways of Mt Lawley are so famous for.
Engineered timber flooring flows up the staircase and throughout the rooms of the first floor, softening the private living areas. Four bedrooms encircle a shared sitting space creating a contained and private zone for only the family to unwind.
The Master bedroom looks out over the graffiti-covered laneways bringing the vibrancy of the outside in. Black stained Cedarwest Squareline cladding used to create a feature bedhead complements the black timber features throughout the rest of the home.
Natural light pours into every bedroom upstairs, designed to reflect a calamity as one appreciates the hustle of inner city living outside its walls.
Smart wiring links each living space back to a network hub, ensuring the home is future proof and technology ready. An intercom system with gate automation at both the street and the lane provide security and the ability to offer guests access from the comfort of their living area.
Every aspect of this sophisticated home was carefully considered and executed. Its final form; a modern, inner-city industrial sanctuary with its roots firmly grounded amongst the vibrant urban culture of its surrounds.
Devine Bath & KitchenMaster bathroom gets major modern update. Built in vanity with natural wood stained panels, quartz countertop and undermount sink. New walk in tile shower with large format tile, hex tile floor, shower bench, multiple niches for storage, and dual shower head. New tile flooring and lighting throughout. Small second vanity sink.
KraftMaster RenovationsLarge shower niche spans the entire back wall posing as a feature wall and useful space for shower items.
Photos by VLG Photography
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