This innovative and envy-inducing home is the work of Melbourne based practice, B.E Architecture. Andrew Piva, B.E Architecture director, explains that the firm has a holistic approach to design, offering services in architecture, interiors and landscaping.
The most distinctive feature of this particular project is its arresting textural façade. Rough stonework (260 tons of granite, to be exact) provides a unique sculptural quality, as the architects ‘approached the form as though it was a solid piece of rough stone that has been carefully cut away.’ This theme continues inside the house too, seen in a series of robust stone benches, basins and bathrooms .
Despite its rugged outward appearance, this home is light, bright and relaxed. A triumphant floorplan ensures good cross ventilation, every room has a strong connection to the outdoors, and lush, mossy landscaping softens all the hard edges.
The strong materiality of the exterior is counterbalanced by rich, lux textures inside the home – leather, velvet and reflective metals lend the home a distinctly luxurious feel. Mind you – ‘liveability’ was a major part of this brief – this is a home to be lived in, not admired from a distance! ‘Although all elements of architecture, interiors, art, landscaping have been carefully considered, there is an overall relaxed feel.’ Andrew confirms.
The clean lines and gentle luxury here conceal a deceptively sophisticated design and build process. ‘Like any building that looks effortlessly simple, there is a great deal of work that goes into getting that right’ Andrew admits.
