Matthew House

An irregular shaped block in Toorak with a steep gradient inspired this angular bold form with deep recesses and a real sense of permanence

The existing house on this site was a modernist concrete building. It was cold, damp and well undersized for the needs of our client and their family. The existing home did however offer a number of floors and walls which could be reincorporated into a new design. This along with the location of the carport and mature trees around the site drove the concept for the new design.

The garage is located where the previous carport was allowing the reuse of the crossover and avoiding street trees. The frontage is layered with travertine clad planter boxes and building facades. The planter boxes are intersected by angular steps leading to the entry which is elevated from street level due to the fall of the land. A heavy timber clad front door leading to the middle floor which houses the main living spaces is framed with a steel shroud, providing a weather cover. This door becomes the background to a set of steel pergola columns circulating around a curved glass façade inside which is a sculptural curved white staircase leading both up and down.

The living spaces open out to an alfresco area and spa pool on the northern side of the building. This side of the building is much more glazed offering a private connection to the outdoor oasis. Windows to the south are more limited but where introduced have window seats to overlook specific street trees.

On the lower ground level is a guest bedroom suite along with a second living space which spills out to a landscaped garden. On the first floor are 3 further bedrooms including the master suite.

Status: unbuilt