Floating on high

Designed by Jack Fugaro + Agushi

From the architect:

Nestled amongst traditional residential homes with a solid street presence, this home delicately hovers over into the treelined landscape giving a sense of calm & lightness.

Although a solid built form, the exterior has a sense of lightness with the first floor elements cantilevering over the ground floor – appearing to float over the rich treed landscape.

The brief was to heighten the occupants' everyday living experience – to draw a solid sculptural aesthetic from the exteriors and create interiors to complement the family’s love of fashion and collection of objects and art.

Spatially focussing inwards from arrival, the home is composed with a series of defined voluminous spaces, a rich material palette and refined detailing.

The considered spaces – with heightened unexpected moments through a series of light-filled double height volumes – engage with the home's occupants while connecting the upper level sleeping and private retreat areas. 

A sculptural central staircase connecting the two levels elevates the living experience with a sense of intrigue.

At the same time, the staircase intentionally defines the surrounding living spaces for more intimate settings. 

A pared back sense of calmness was key, with a rich material palette and strict direction from the owner to make a hero of the stonework and craftsmanship throughout the home – referencing the family's strong connection with the craft, with one member a master stonemason.

Utilising this craft in the project dictated the need for refined detailing to the landscape design and interior design.

The closely considered insertions within the expansive spatial volume – such as the sculptural staircase – define a travel path through the interior and also act as spatial dividers, and focal & meeting points.

Other aspects, such as treating fixed joinery elements as refined furniture elements, evoke a refined sophistication.

These elements elevate the occupants' day-to-day living and bring the architecture and interior design together as a whole – playing a pivotal role of the artful experience of the home and contributing to the vibrancy of the occupants' lives.

A cohesive understanding of the project by all trades and consultants right from the initial concept design stage meant that all collaborators achieved the design brief and brought together the well-considered and well-executed home.

Cost effective solutions were also an imperative within the brief.

A pared back yet rich material pallet on both interior and exterior meant that costs could be kept at bay – resulting in the final cost budget being met.

Story by: Trendsideas