Italian reverie

Designed by Mark de Rozario, CSA Craig Steere Architects

From the architect:

Owner requirements

•  Our homeowners were inspired by their travels in Italy with homes built around courtyards; and textural masonry construction.
• They also desired a view through the interconnecting courtyard, towards their bedroom and the river views beyond.
• Having a green space adjacent was key to the enjoyment of their home – the courtyard next to the ensuite has a feature lemon tree.
• Natural light entering in from the east and south sides via a highlight window that allowed light in while maintain privacy – privacy to the toilet and shower is maintained with privacy film.
• Niches with inset tiles for toiletries with down lights to the top of the inset – the niches are functional when in use and become decorative design elements otherwise.

Materials

• Specifications were inspired from masonry construction, for a luxury villa feel – Donnybrook limestone is a key material used.
• The owners also had a strong desire for porcelain for functional surfaces – flooring, tiling, and benchtops for longevity and maintenance.
• Cabinetry is a veneer for ease of maintenance and durability.

Functionality

• Storage – big cabinets for towels, toiletry bags, electrical under the vanity – storage was sized for each piece of equipment.
• Cabinet next to the mirror is used for the small everyday items.
• Occasional items under the vanity.
• Materials are common across the house – anodised faceplate behind the rail is carried through the house and conceals the services such as waste pipes.

Spatial relationship to other rooms

• The ensuite is accessed via the walk-in robe passage – the robe extends the materiality of the ensuite to create a cohesive experience joining both spaces.
• The size of the ensuite was designed to accomodate standalone furniture to allow our homeowners to get ready in the ensuite without disturbing anyone sleeping in the bedroom.
• Courtyard is designed as a central landscaping feature that visually connects the bedroom, passage gallery and the ensuite to each other.

Challenges

• A design change was resolved on site to bring in even more natural eastern light – this was achieved by creating a deep offset in the bulkhead to draw more natural light into the space.
• A considered lighting design of non-obtrusive light on motion sensors along the passage and dressing room and ensuite means one can get ready in these spaces without impacting anyone sleeping in the bedroom.

Designed by: CSA Craig Steere Architects

Story by: Trendsideas

Photography by: Jody D'Arcy