Modern Mediterranean on a Shallow Block

Built on a wide, shallow block, with its sleek, sophisticated curves, this custom designed and custom-built home has all that it takes to become an iconic local landmark.

We were engaged to design and build a home to reflect our clients’ vision of a contemporary exterior, paired with a modern traditional interior. The design creatively blends with the surrounding neighbourhood while showcasing what can be accomplished on a compact 370m² lot.

The modern Mediterranean vibe has a simple, pared-back colour palette, with the owners opting for natural colours, inspired by nature. 

By definition, Mediterranean homes are designed as relaxing retreats from the hustle and bustle of everyday living. They usually have flat roofs, and effortlessly incorporate indoor-outdoor living – while this home has those traditional features, it also benefits from modern construction technology.

The exterior design features Biowood cladding, made from recycled materials, which was incorporated for sustainability. The exterior brick wall includes foilboard insulation within the cavity for enhanced thermal efficiency. Those magnificent double-glazed windows provide improved insulation and energy efficiency while ensuring an abundance of natural light inside.

The owners came to us knowing they wanted a four-bedroom home, private family living areas, a library and a generous lounge / dining / kitchen area with the convenience of a butler’s pantry. 

This home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs (one being part of a luxurious primary suite) as well as a private family lounge area with its own balcony. 

Downstairs the large open plan lounge / dining / kitchen area has a custom-built wine cellar and leads to an al fresco area with built-in barbeque. The kitchen is supported by a galley style butler’s pantry so the house is perfect for entertaining.

Interior finishes showcase natural timbers and stone, providing a sense of warmth and sophistication. Throughout the ground floor, you’ll find floor-to-ceiling height doors, which provide a sense of openness.

A striking feature of the ground floor is the library. With its architecturally designed coffered ceiling, custom-built cabinetry, and generous windows, it’s a delightful light-filled escape for the avid book readers in the family.

The downstairs is completed with a powder room, generously proportioned laundry and internal access to the lock-up garage. 

This house was designed after careful negotiation between the council and the client to achieve a compliant and functional outcome on the site’s shallow block. Constructing close to the boundaries of recently built homes demanded careful planning, particularly for excavation and external works, to minimise disruption and ensure compliance.

Compliance with council regulations required the integration of an on-site detention system and a large rainwater tank, both of which were seamlessly integrated into overall landscaping design.

When you custom design and custom build with Horizon Homes, you can rely on us to guide you though this sometimes complicated compliance pathway, ensuring that even if your block size is irregular – in this case, a wide and shallow block – that presents a myriad of challenges, you can definitely get the house of your dreams. 

Credits

Photography: Ryan Linnegar 
Interior Stylist: Rory James Carter