All points considered

Designed by Daniel Lomma Design

From the designer:

The brief

The family of five wanted a resort style family home that maximises the river and ocean views, and has a grand entrance. The home was to include an outdoor living area that complements the internal spaces.

With the children in their late teens, it was important to have separation between their rooms and the master suite.

The family entertains a lot and with that came the need for not only large indoor and outdoor living areas, but also a large indoor and outdoor kitchen.

Also requested were a four-car garage, gym, guest bedroom, and walk in robes to the girls’ bedrooms. 

The owners also wanted a dedicated library, a lift, cool room, larder, a gaming hub for their son, and a craft room. Lastly, an outdoor fire pit was also on the wish list.

The solution

North facing orientation was a deciding factor in the layout of this home. Due to the request for a four car garage we decided the best position for the pool was along the opposite side boundary, towards the middle of the block.

To create a resort style feel the pool was elevated with cascading waterfall ends and a reservoir catchment to make it pool compliant.

North facing orientation was a deciding factor in the layout of this home. Due to the request for a four car garage we decided the best position for the pool was along the opposite side boundary, towards the middle of the block.

To create a resort style feel the pool was elevated with cascading waterfall ends and a reservoir catchment to make it pool compliant.

The pool then played a pivotal role in the layout and outcome of the internal adjoining spaces in order to maximise the outlook.

Responding to height restrictions and the topography of the land, we created a split level home. This also helped with the outlook towards the pool from the raised open-plan living spaces.

The large entertainer’s kitchen flows out through to the alfresco.

The combined gym and guest bedroom has its own ensuite which also services the outdoor area. 

This area of the home is situated on the opposite side of the home to the garage, leaving enough room to locate the porch and entry in between.

A double storey entry gate and an outdoor pond runs the length of the porch leading to the entry door.

The pond, although external, is situated underneath the internal stairs. This can be seen right from the approach to the front door.

The use of full height openings including the choice of independent pivot doors helps bring the outdoors in.

The outdoor lounge and fire pit are sunken to prevent obstructing the outlook from the games room and dining.

The views from first floor are evident immediately from the top of the stairs.

The river, city, and ocean can be seen from almost every room on the first floor, including from the children' s hallway at the rear of the block.

By locating the master bedroom at the front of the house, we were able to achieve separation from the children’s quarters by positioning the master bathroom, dressing room, and retreat in between the two zones.

As well as talking in the wider scenery, the library also offers a direct view to the centrally located swimming pool below.

The library includes a built-in window seat surrounded by full height book cases, creating the relaxed calmness required for this space.

A hidden gaming hub located in the son’s bedroom can only be accessed though one of the built in robe door panels.

Powder-coated aluminium canopies and timber-look aluminium battens on the garage and garage door, together with the use of timber-look external tiles, all contribute to creating a low upkeep home.

The choice of a flush panel garage door with the timber look battens softens the look of the garage and helps to create consistency across the lower level of the facade

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Michael Conroy / Silvertone Photography