Contemporary resort-style waterfront home with large terraces

Childhood memories can be powerful influences on the choices we make in life, and the places that make us happy.

This was undoubtedly the case for one of the owners of this contemporary waterfront house. Moving in was like coming home the property had been in the family for many decades, with the original house on site built for his parents.

Architect Martin Grounds of Grounds Kent Architects says this family history was a strong design influence.

"We wanted to repeat what was there before in terms of the way the house and rooms were oriented to the magnificent river views," he says. "That original house gave me a very good idea of how to approach the design."

Working closely with the owners, as well as interior designer Christian Lyon of Christian Lyon Design and the builder Gianpaolo Crugnale of Gage Roads Group, Grounds also took his design inspiration from tropical resort architecture. This influence can be seen in the strong horizontal lines of the house, its large terraces and wood-lined eaves, which make the house appear to reach out to the river.

The material palette also references the resort architecture. A slate blade wall defines the entry and introduces a strong textural element to balance the extensive use of steel and glass. The wall enhances the horizontality of the house by reappearing at the rear on the terrace overlooking the river. A Balinese-style reflecting pool at the entry is also replicated on the opposite side of the house, reinforcing a key axis. The wide circulation gallery on this axis creates a sense of anticipation at the entry, providing a glimpse of the dramatic view.

On the interior, the steel structural elements are deliberately exposed.

"We wanted the house to have an integrity the structural materials are a key aspect of the design, " says Grounds. "Clerestory windows sit above the steel beams, and the roof floats above these, adding a lightness that balances the extensive use of she-oak timber. The windows also bring natural light to the interior."

Grounds says she-oak, which is a local Western Australia timber, was installed on the ceiling, in solid battens of alternating widths. A dark charcoal-grey acoustic fabric above the battens adds negative detailing and has a practical role, concealing a layer of sound insulation.

Crugnale hand selected the she-oak for its unique grain, which is formed through the timber naturally twisting as it is grows, creating a distinct point of difference.

Christian Lyon says the interior was designed to reflect the personal histories and personalities of both owners.

"While the house needed to have a sense of heritage and place, it also had to be updated to reflect the owner's current life, rather than his parents'. At the same time, we wanted to acknowledge his wife's background she has a professional involvement in the arts, and the couple have an extensive art collection.

"We consequently opted for a highlyelegant, but extremely relaxed, organic interior, with a lot of textural elements. The design needed to reflect an appreciation for quality, without being ostentatious."

Lyon says fabric-covered walls line the gallery circulation space, and also feature in the main living area.

"The fabric replicates the horizontality of the grain of the she-oak. The texture also references the rippling rhythm of the river. Similarly, the sheer curtains have a sense of movement that resonate with the water beyond."

To maximise a view of the reflection pool, the kitchen features a glass wall with cantilevered cabinetry suspended in front.

"The cabinetry echoes the horizontal lines of the house," Lyon says. "We chose a soft green eucalyptus colour for the high-gloss lacquer to complement the she-oak timber and the natural environment."

Other cabinetry is framed with wood or marble a design that references the exposed structural framing of the house.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes

Photography by: Ron Tan