Generously and judiciously laid across its sloping site, The Darling presents a luxuriously immersive consequence of outlook, light and lifestyle. Dreamily illuminated from the inside out by Euroluce lighting and enjoying a scrupulous design by Peter Dunkley, the home’s fusion of familial functionality with exacting aesthetics is striking. Illustrating the narrative of its considered synthesis, an exploration of layers and angles elegantly emerge, forming an aligned and robust retreat for its residents. Throughout its creation, The Darling fostered a remarkable sense of kinship amongst its owners and the congregation of professionals assembled to craft the home. The result of such productive relationships sees an arresting form created that displays its amalgamation of capabilities without reservation.

For the owners, there is a story of enduring existence at the site – one of new and old memories for the place rooted with family history. At the time of briefing, the family had already called the address home for 35 years and intended for the home to be enjoyed for generations to come. Armed with an abundance of ideas and practical aspects of their lifestyle, the concept for the home was shaped heavily by its way of usefully serving the family unit.

The Darling, named in memory of the family’s patriarch, was to undergo a refurbishment to transform its existing structure. Upon meeting with Peter, who pored over the owner’s detailed vision with vigour, the decision was made to rebuild the home with a renewed layout, allowing each carefully considered aspect of the brief to materialise while retaining the block’s sentimental soul. It is apparent that a great level of confidence was established in these rudimentary stages of planning between Peter and the family, with Peter recounting, “I’m not sure why, but from my first meeting with them there was some strange connection between us. I could tell they trusted me and that made me very determined to help them create a forever dream family home.”

Project Type: Residential
Architect: Apto & Best
Design & Building Consultant: Peter Dunkley
Build: Acubuilt
Photographer: Pablo Veiga
Stylist: Atelier Lab
Words by: Jasmine Ashkar
Products Used: Flos Architectural, Flos Decorative, Flos Outdoor, Reggiani, Wästberg