A boutique ensemble of eleven apartments, the architectural response is one that remains synonymous with the heritage homes that characterise Balwyn.
Through its dignified form, the façade achieves a distinctive presence – one of modern grandeur and artistry. Emulating the luxuriance of the park opposite, greenery is also central to Balwyn Park’s exterior, where meandering vines and spilling tendrils paint every angle of the home. Integrated landscaping by Paul Bangay Garden Design envelope the building in deep lush garden beds full of mass plantings of flowering evergreen plants and trees. The overall feeling is one of a large domestic garden blending with the surrounding parks and gardens.
Elegantly playing on the subtleties that emerge when a perfectly curated design is met with the rambling beauty of nature, each apartment has been consciously designed so that frames of the landscape are drawn internally.
A canvas of soft, earthen tones evokes a sense of effortlessness that invite moments of contemplation and unkempt opportunities for repose.
“At Balwyn Park, DKO was inspired by the art deco history prevalent in the wider Balwyn area. Gently rounded corners are complemented by finely crafted steel elements, creating an elegant addition to the Cherry Road streetscape,” says DKO Design Director, Jesse Linardi.
Soft curvature flows internally too. On arrival, residents are greeted with the utmost sophistication. Whilst establishing a hotel-esque atmosphere, the lobby area encourages a communal spirit among residents, adding to Balwyn Park’s already inviting feel whilst providing opportunities for interaction.
While soaring expanses of glass invite the external beauty within internal spaces – framing the almost painting-like backdrop of the landscape like canvases on the walls – etchings of metallic and matte-black delineate spaces in a geometric, modern way. This internal linearity is accentuated by architectural features that draw on deco-inspiration. The play of bold vertical lines against gentle curves imbues these homes with a true sensation of craftsmanship.
Softly muted tones of the interiors by Mim Design are enriched by their luxurious tactility; every element within these homes has been meticulously selected to impart a feeling of sensory delight. Spacious, light-filled and brimming with beautifully crafted elements, here the feeling of luxe is owed to generous floorplans with well-planned storage and bench space, and the layers of elegant materials forming the foundations of the space.
YEAR
2021
STATUS
Complete
CLIENT
Eversun Group
LOCATION
Balwyn, AUS
SCALE
1,593sqm
DWELLING S11
DISCIPLINE
Multi Residential
EXPERTISE
Architecture
Photographer: Timothy Kaye
DKO is a multi-disciplinary, award-winning design practice centred on creating ingenious spaces that are driven by the needs of the user, site opportunities and the dynamic process of translating design intent into built outcomes. Founded in 2000 by Principal Koos de Keijzer, its operations have expanded from Melbourne to studios in Sydney, Perth, Auckland, Ho Chi Minh City, and Brisbane. DKO has remained committed to the same underlying principles since day one. Its multiple teams spread across the Asia-Pacific region are solidly united behind the same grounded and humble approach taken to each project, big or small.
Keeping minds open to any possibility, DKO always focuses on finding the best idea, regardless of where it came from. By encouraging the personal growth of each individual within the organisation, DKO plans to become a globally oriented entity, consistently forging ahead in both business and creative objectives. DKO embraces the role of architecture in shaping a more sustainable future. As a practice, it never loses sight of the most fundamental quality that connects all great design – people. Through human understanding and nurture, DKO seeks to continually maximise its potential and deliver architecture at its utmost excellence.