A
love of the bush and the search for a peaceful retreat drove the design of
this ultra-contemporary home in one of Australia’s most beautiful country
locations – WA’s South West region. From the road, it’s a solid structure
that stretches across the land, strong in form and presence. Behind the
rammed limestone front wall, however, lies an elegant extended-family
home with a sense of lightness and sophistication that draws directly from nature.
Having previously lived in a number of country areas with their two children before
settling in Bunbury 20 years ago, semi-retired owners Andrew and Lynne knew they
wanted their next home to connect with the landscape. It took a couple of years, but
in 2014 they found the perfect 1ha hilltop block 10 minutes from the town of Dunsborough.
There, architecture and design studio The Colour Royale Design Group (TCR), headed
by their son Aaron King, has created a house that blends privacy and hospitality while
borrowing magical vistas from the native marri and grass trees beyond.
Designed to zone out the road in front of it, the building is 45m in length and
comprises two wings flanking a pavilion-style courtyard next to the entry. The larger
wing includes the main bedroom suite, which can be completely closed off to become
a retreat with its own courtyard, plus a study, laundry and art studio. Adjacent is the
open-plan kitchen and dining, with the main living area under a 4.5m ceiling.
The guest wing has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a kitchenette and living area
that also serves as an extra bedroom. Special features include a butler’s pantry and
a roof terrace over the kitchen – perfect for entertaining or stargazing. >
This is the life
“We wanted to walk through the door, close it
behind us and be in our own world,” says Andrew
of the private retreat he and Lynne now relish.
The house has the courtyards with spectacular
outlooks they coveted after living in remote areas
of Tasmania, WA and the NT. It also has a roof
terrace above the kitchen,positioned to capture
sunsets. “We’re up there every morning for
breakfast and in the evening,” says Andrew.
