Innholdsfortegnelse for February - March 2022 i Belle

I AM OFTEN ASKED, if I had a house to build, which architect I would choose from the many I have interviewed over the years. And while there may have been dalliances here and there, Timothy Hill of Partners Hill in Hobart, Tasmania, remains my enduring flame. The reasons are many but gather around the notion (adopted from Alvar Aalto) of ‘life-enhancing charm’ and how this is created from a certain unevenness born of a ‘high’ and ‘low’ mix of materials. Add to this his wisdom as to life’s mutability and hence a sensibility around future-proofing design decisions, and in this winning trifecta, how gardens, folded in and around the built form, quite simply make everything better. He is also witty and smart so you need to bring your best…

A passion for art, music and swimming are just some of the elements that thread through the life of Sydney architect Nick Tobias. The MCA Foundation chair and board member is passionate about his involvement with the contemporary art world and inspired by the musicians with whom he frequently jams, but he is equally enthusiastic about his newly renovated home in a beachside enclave that provides ready access for the “water-sports junkie”. Furnished with a judicious selection of timeless pieces that exude quality and style the home is relaxed and open, perfect for engaging with the community to which he now feels so connected. WHAT INITIALLY APPEALED ABOUT YOUR HOME AND WHAT DID THE ALTERATIONS ENTAIL? I had recently relocated to Watsons Bay from Bondi and fell in love with…

What do you love about your space and how does it reflect the work that you do? Underpinning our showroom design is a broader set of values around sustainability, materiality, storytelling and community that’s core to our DNA. One of our customers described our showroom as a destination for experiences, and that’s exactly the thinking and why I love what I do. Our signature style is one of discovery – a layering of designer backstory, ethics and craft when presenting design. So that one-of-a-kind furniture, lighting, soft furnishing and accessories are just the beginning. What are some of your favourite pieces? An impossible question! Each and every piece we showcase has a story, relationship and value – both physically and emotionally. I am increasingly mindful of my choices. The old adage,…

THE LIGHTNING-SPEED PURCHASE of a warehouse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has allowed architect Kyra Thomas to create a modern family home that aligns with her design approach, desire for sustainability and Danish heritage. How did you come to choose this site? On the advice of a great friend and mentor, we went to check out a self-storage warehouse for sale in Queens Park and bought it by the end of the day! My husband Julian and I had found an unusual site where we could create a generous family home carefully attuned to our way of life and our intentions for living simply, and a calm sanctuary for our young family as well as a case study for my architectural practice. We were developer, architect and client combined. What were…

There are few more idyllic settings than this one. Located on the Noosa River and bushland beyond, the new-build, three-level house by Shaun Lockyer Architects seems to have it all. Designed as a holiday escape for a Sydney couple with three children, it’s one of the key houses from the practice that makes the architect’s chest puff out and rightly so. “We’re extremely proud of the result, in part because it was such a linear process, with the initial idea not being compromised in either idea or finish,” says architect Shaun Lockyer, who worked closely with landscape architect Marc Conlon. Interior designer Hong Henwood assisted with the decor. While the Noosa Heads house, on a 550-square-metre site, embraces the river and bushland to the south, the street elevation, oriented to…

Colour in architecture – a means as powerful as the ground plan and section. Or better: polychromy, a component of the ground plan and section itself,” said architectural luminary and painter Le Corbusier on the importance of colour in buildings. His theory struck a chord for architect Lucy Clemenger of Lucy Clemenger Architects who flushed the walls of this Melbourne home with colour, splashing the dining room with pale blue in a nod to nature and clear skies, and bathing the laundry in soft green – an ode to spring and growth. Elsewhere, the ensuites are charged with pigment: rose pink colour-blocking the shower and glossy ultramarine tiles framing the vanity walls. “Le Corbusier was developing his ideas around the time the client’s house was being built in the 1930s…

Eclectic is a controversial word in the world of interiors. I can remember Belle’s former editor-in-chief and now TV personality and design aficionado, Neale Whitaker, banning its use for a while. I can see his point – it is one of those words you can lazily bandy about in place of a better, more thoughtful description. But many global forces are bringing about a new eclecticism – it can be maximalist, minimalist, luxe or pared back. It is partly driven by a more considered and conscientious effort towards sustainability. Recent pandemic-induced supply issues have also given us a push to buy more local and vintage. And always at the heart of a great interior is an interest in history and art, and a recognition that a lot of older pieces…

THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS 2021 NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AWARDS CELEBRATE THE VERY BEST NEW BUILDINGS THE NATION HAS TO OFFER IN A BROAD RANGE OF CATEGORIES, FROM RESIDENTIAL TO CIVIC, PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL. TAKING OUT TWO KEY AWARDS THIS YEAR WAS THE WORK OF SMART DESIGN STUDIO (FEATURED IN THE MAY 2021 ISSUE OF BELLE AND SHOWN HERE, LEFT AND THIS IMAGE) FOR ITS COMBINED STUDIO AND LIVING SPACE IN SYDNEY’S ALEXANDRIA. IT WON THE PRESTIGIOUS HARRY SEIDLER AWARD FOR COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE AND THE EMIL SODERSTEN AWARD FOR INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE. THE JURY NOTED THAT THIS PROJECT EFFORTLESSLY COMBINES “STRIDENTLY NEW AND INNOVATIVE STRUCTURES AND ADAPTIVELY REUSED INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE FABRIC”. SMARTDESIGNSTUDIO.COM…

The Lothian (left) designed by Kennedy Nolan is “an exquisitely crafted and innovative townhouse proposition worthy of celebration”, said the jury in awarding it the Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing. The eight townhouses in North Melbourne fall into different types – from two storeys to four storeys with a roof garden. Each facade on this corner block has a different response to the street, with the west elevation sporting a series of arches built in brick to recall local industrial buildings. kennedynolan.com.au…

IS THERE AN ARTIST WHO HAS BEEN AN ENDURING INFLUENCE? Moffat Takadiwa [6] in Zimbabwe collects rubbish, such as keyboard keys and toothbrushes, to create sculptures of extraordinary finesse. Talin Hazbar [4] in Dubai, who works with desert sand, salt, and earth. DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING? I am increasingly fond of empty spaces. I prefer to buy useful objects when I’m travelling that are characteristic of the country they represent – it’s a way of living like a local. BOOKS – WHAT ARE YOU READING NOW – BOTH FICTION AND ART/DESIGN? The poetry of Dada and Surrealist movements. I’m reading poems by Tristan Tzara, who was the first to break away from social forms of thought and language. Reconstructing words and encouraging anti-conformist spontaneity is a form of artistic experimentation…

EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE that promotes an uninhibited lifestyle was the goal for this residential venture in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, says interior designer and director of The Unlisted Collective Bianca Fraser. Naturally, the waterfront location and sun-drenched landscape played a key role in the design of each space. What was the brief? The apartment is one of 19 in a multi-residential project in Vaucluse. The brief was to create interiors that encourage easy living, with relaxed yet sophisticated spaces that appeal to an extensive audience. The site allowed opportunities to take advantage of the natural light, ventilation and glimpses of the ocean. The Unlisted Collective was appointed for the interiors across the whole development and worked in collaboration with building architect MHN Design Union, and the client, developer HSN Property Group. What…

FOUNDING DIRECTOR of Cadre, Christopher Tyas discusses the luxury Richmond Hill Residence of three town residences that adds to the company’s portfolio of East Melbourne developments. Immaculately executed for affluent downsizers, rooftop pools with panoramic city views, brutalist bunker-style wine and cigar rooms, lifts, and expansive living spaces were essential. The design-led firm worked in collaboration with Cera Stribley Architects, Jack Merlo Design & Landscape and Tycorp Construction to deliver unparalleled residences for the location. What appealed about the site? Cadre specialises in developing high quality offerings in sought-after locations. What drew us to this site was its unique nature. We knew we could achieve 100 per cent site coverage, which opened up some great opportunities as the site did not require a minimum garden zone. It was also one…

GIVEN THE ‘KID GLOVE’ treatment, this early 1960s orange brick apartment in Toorak was approached like a bespoke home. Originally designed by architect Les Perrott, the 130-square-metre apartment is oriented to the north, like most in the building, and was the perfect abode for a couple looking to downsize. The owners called on Broderick Ely, director of B.E Architecture, to create something more than just a generic space. How did you become involved with this project? I was already engaged in making modifications to this 1960s classic, tweaking communal areas and reworking some of the rather prosaic colour schemes. So I was quite familiar with this building when first approached by my clients, who were looking for a level of craftsmanship and detail not often found today. What were the…

When Covid clipped everyone’s wings in early 2020 this family had a total rethink of their priorities. Realising that overseas travel would be off the agenda for some time they decided to create a holiday lifestyle for themselves. So they sold their expansive home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and bought a 70s apartment perched above the sands of Bondi Beach. An iconic location and spectacular views were the drawcard, and the unrenovated apartment offered the scope to make it their own. Shiva and Arun Mohan had seen interior designer Greg Natale’s work in Belle and were impressed by his bold and individual approach. “They wanted beachy but not a classic coastal look,” says Greg, “and, while there was a brief, they were fantastic clients who trusted me and let me…

A PAST WINNER IN THE BELLE INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS AND A FINALIST IN THE 2021 EDITION, INTERIOR DESIGNER YASMINE GHONIEM FIRST ROSE TO ATTENTION IN AMBER ROAD, A DESIGN BUSINESS WITH HER SISTER, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT KATY SVALBE. NOW PRINCIPAL OF MULTI-DISCIPLINARY YSG STUDIO, HER ENERGETIC VISION IS DRAWING ACCOLADES FROM ALL QUARTERS FOR HER BRILLIANTLY CUSTOMISED INTERIORS, WHETHER BOUTIQUE HOTEL, CELEBRITY RESIDENCE OR COLLABORATION, SUCH AS HER ‘FANTALES’ KITCHEN FOR LAMINEX (PICTURED). “PERFECTION IN MY BOOK IS ABOUT COHESIVE CLASHES AND UNPREDICTABLE CONCLUSIONS. IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT DESIGN OUTCOMES SUPERSEDE OUR CLIENTS’ WILDEST EXPECTATIONS,” SHE SAYS. YSG.STUDIO 01 INSPIRING SPACES 02 ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS 03 BOUTIQUES 04 DECORATION 05 LUXE SUSTAINABILITY 06 DESIGN 07 ART & COLLECTABLES 08 CREATIVE TYPES + ARTISANS…

Astronomer and mathematician Basil Borun was determined that he should be able to view the stars from his wheelchair in the living room of his yet-to-be designed home in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Step forward architect Peter Stutchbury, who gave him that opportunity by including a massive unglazed oculus (it’s 3.5 x 2.5 metres) in his design. Named Night Sky, the home is constructed from recycled bricks, and includes hydronic underfloor heating, a photovoltaic system with battery storage and a 60,000-litre rainwater tank. Unsurprisingly, it won the 2021 Robin Boyd Award for Residential Houses (New). peterstutchbury.com.au…

Gloss and glamour up the ante to create an atmosphere of rarefied beauty and splendour. Vibrant colours, graphic shapes and clean lines combine in a mid-century modern dream that fires the imagination. Objets and adornments of disparate provenance shimmer and shine, suffused with a golden glow and the spirit of the past.…

Built as a private residence in 1897 and beloved for generations as the home of Double Bay Library, the St Brigid’s building occupies one of Sydney’s most picturesque spots. Enveloped by Blackburn Gardens, where enchanting paths and terraced lawns tumble down to Murray Rose tidal pool, Redleaf kiosk and Seven Shillings Beach, and with sparkling Sydney Harbour and its bobbing sailboats framed by grand old fig trees, it seems like a languorous scene from an Impressionist painting. Following a major overhaul by architects Tanner Kibble Denton, St Brigid’s has now been reimagined as Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, a dynamic community art centre that plays host to contemporary exhibition spaces, artist’s residencies and other public programs. “All community spaces should be reflective of their environment,” says gallery co-ordinator Sebastian Goldspink, whose…

INTERIOR DESIGNER Alex Morrison was intent on making the most of the sweeping harbour backdrop when renovating this Darling Point apartment. How did you become involved with this project? I first saw the apartment in 2019 and was completely captivated with the location and the potential the space offered. We purchased the home towards the end of the year and felt like we’d found a space that we could transform and add our own personality touches. What were the challenges and how did you resolve them? The original layout was disjointed and there was a disconnect between the key living spaces and harbour views. This meant flipping the floorplan so that the kitchen and living areas would enjoy the spectacular views and allow natural light to reflect off the bay…

WHEN ARCHITECT SCOTT WESTON and journalist Andrew Hornery discovered Villa Carmelina, their grand 1880s Italianate terrace in Sydney’s Paddington (featured in Belle August/September 2021), a big plus was the stables at the rear. Sitting five metres above the house the once derelict stables have been repurposed by Scott as a self-contained guest cottage with its own north-facing suntrap terrace and rear entrance. What were the requirements for the stables? The design objective for Little Edite was to retain, enhance and repurpose the stables, creating a compact functional space for contemporary living. The ground floor was designed as an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area while inserting large external timber and glass sliding barn doors opening directly onto a north-facing courtyard with sandstone paving, lush garden beds and a built-in barbeque.…

George Geagea remembers the exact moment this deeply personal project he started with his business partner Charles Daoud became one he needed to share. “I was standing in the driveway overlooking the large orchard with its mandarin, orange, lemon and fig trees and saw the property in a new light. It had been so neglected and I could finally see it sparkling. Even though it was meant to be a private project, we knew this was something we had the privilege of sharing,” says George. So while the Greyleigh homestead was intended to be a family weekender, it’s now available for stays and events. The sprawling farmhouse was terribly run-down when George first saw it in 2014 but the location was so highly coveted that the purchase was a no-brainer.…

Grainy photography and faded pages do nothing to dispel the beauty of this grand Melbourne home in Toorak, clips of its pictorial debut in the 1934 issue of Australian Home Beautiful now a treasured possession of its owners. Built in the early 1930s, its then vendor was a Frenchman who made Australia home in the interwar years and wanted a residence where he could display his imported furniture. Built by respected architects Arthur and Hugh L. Peck, its architectural hybrid merges English Domestic Revival style with French Provincial accents. Thanks to owners past – entrepreneurs who brought artists to Australia to perform – the house has played host to international musicians, Hollywood actors and theatre types. Its colourful history boasts a veritable who’s who of entertainers enjoying its communal spaces:…

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE GALLERY SPACE? In Sydney we have two gallery spaces, and they are significantly different in scale and character. The Alexandria exhibition space is large and architecturally raw, and hosts the major exhibitions we present, while the Paddington space is smaller, more idiosyncratic and considerably more comfortable. Its twin responsibilities of presenting works in a more private setting and as the site of the galleries’ management offices allows it to have a softer material culture and contains all the considerable support material that the galleries rely on. WHAT ARE YOUR WORK SPACE ESSENTIALS? As different as each are, essential to both spaces is the requirement of beautiful light and compelling sightlines. They both need to provide the opportunity to engage meaningfully with artworks – in Alexandria…