Victoria
St Kilda Residence is a house designed for two with ample entertaining and living spaces capable of accommodating the extended family.
Located on a prominent north facing corner allotment, with frontage to a primary road with tramlines and a quiet cul-de-sac, this inner southeastern site required a considered balance between creating street presence and scale whilst also establishing internal amenity and privacy for its occupants.
Conceptually the house is ordered around a series of enclosed or framed courtyards, each offering aspect and amenity. Robust and enduring materials are incorporated throughout, with rammed earth being the focal element. Depth and richness are created through texture and the play of light.
The natural colour palette is enhanced with pale, earthy tones and subtle format and directional changes which enrich a minimalist aesthetic. Internally, refined and highly detailed objects are sleeved into the organic rammed earth walls creating a strong juxtaposition.
We love our house, from the solid rammed earth and brickwork to the tactility and organic form of the front door handle. The sense of tranquility starts with the bubbling water in the reflection pond.
The shadow play is beautiful morning to night with light and movement provoked by wind and sun. The life in all the textures from the grounding of rammed earth to the meticulously crafted, natural beauty and colour of stone and wood, with floor to ceiling windows inviting lush greenery into every space. The overall effect is one of warmth, easy calm, joy, relaxation and wonder.
Rohan Appel, Design Architect
Tamara Dunkley, Design Architect
Bradley Moran Consulting Engineers, Structural Engineer
FloreancigSmith Building Surveyors, Building Surveyor
Frater Consulting Services, ESD Consultant
Olnee Rammed Earth, Rammed Earth Contractor
Vogue Grange, Landscape Consultant
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
