Australian_House_&_Garden_2016_11

DECORATING HG

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN|5

A

connection to nature is expected in a beachside

homebutthisone,withoutanoceanvista,has

focuseditsviewsinwardinstead,linkingthe

gardensatthefront,sideandrearofthepropertyto

thelivingspaceswithin.Throughacombinationof

architecturalelements,materialsandtheinterior

scheme–whichIhadahandin–thishometrulyinvites

theoutdoorsin.Italsodemonstratesthatlocationis

not necessarily an impediment to achieving the breezy,

casual style inspired by the tropics that is so well

suited to many parts of Australia.

ArchitectureThisfloorplanisprettyunique.While

alotofhousesonsimilarlysizedblocksinthisSydney

suburbaretwostoreysandtakeupasmuchoftheland

as possible, this one strikes a compromise: some areas

expandouttotheboundarywhileothersshrinkinto

thecentre,lettinglightenteronthreeofthefoursides.

An internal courtyard draws light into the heart of

thebuildingtoo.

Therelationshipofroomstothegardenhasbeen

considered at every step, creating many lovely everyday

experiences. Having several ponds flow around the

property gives the sensation that the home is partially

submergedinabeautifulwatergarden.Thesoundof

waterfromtheponds,intandemwithviewsfromevery

window, delivers a delightful sensorial experience.

Ourclimate invites us to open our

homes to the great outdoors. This

Sydney home is a dream case

study, writesDarren Palmer.

Masterclass #19

OUTSIDE

INFLUENCE

UseofglassSkylights pair with fixed vertical panes

that fit between the curved roof (inspired by the

wavesatnearbyBondiBeach)andceilingline.This

drawsinviewsoftheskyaswellaslight–allthe

whileretainingprivacyfortheoccupants.

Elsewhere, louvred windows have been used to

great effect.Lightandbreezesaredrawnintothe

diningroom,bathrooms,bedroomsandotherzones

through the frameless-glass louvres; the flow

controlled by the touch of a lever.

Blurring the boundariesAgreenwallisa

beautiful way to obscure the side boundary line.

This lush garden wall borders the internal courtyard

and forms a satisfying vista that draws the eye

downandawayfromtheneighbouringhome.

The internal courtyard itself (next page) is an

all-weatherentertainingzonethankstoaVergola

Images from roof cover. Together with the other outdoor rooms>

Homespace

by Darren Palmer (Murdoch Books).Photograph by Felix Forest.