From the busy street, South Yarra House by Pandolfini Architects doesn’t say much. Yet, upon closer inspection, the unassuming family home maps into a super house, making bold statements through its striking sculptural forms and finely curated materiality.

Located on a relatively large innercity site surrounded by apartment buildings on either side, with one looking directly into the site, the clients wanted privacy and space for entertaining. “The idea for the front of the house was for it to give nothing away to the street and also act as a really protective container for the inhabitants and the sculptural forms within,” says Dominic Pandolfini, architect at Pandolfini Architects.

As one makes their way into the home via the heavy concrete facade, they are met with a large doubleheight foyer space. “In the foyer, we wanted to create a sense of awe when you first walk in, whereas up in the bedrooms we want to create a sense of calm and protection,” explains Pandolfini. The foyer is his favourite part of the home; “it’s completely unexpected when you walk through the front door.”

Continuing through the super house from the foyer, one walks up a spiral staircase that opens up into the living space on the first level. The team has also built in a bar space, a generous kitchen and an island bench to accommodate various occasions for dining and entertaining.

On the top floor is the main bedroom, which has its own private living area and dressing room. “The idea behind the main bedroom is that it's a very relaxing place to withdraw to, there are no heavy exposed materials like elsewhere in the project,” he explains. In contrast, the bathroom is a dark, cavelike space with granite tiles lining the floor, walls and ceiling, with skylights and windows welcoming light into the space. The ground floor then houses the other bedrooms and another living area opening to a large courtyard.

One of the most interesting features of South Yarra House is the way it plays with form. The blank, monolithic structure of the front of the super house contrasts with curved forms within the living space. In addition, the kitchen island bench is rendered in natural stone with exaggerated forms, the different angles and curves allowing for an amazing play of light.

The material palette and decor are pared back and simple. The super house is dominated by exposed concrete and brickwork, which is softened by aged brass, textured timber flooring and natural stone in the kitchens and living room, while black timber batons are used as wall panelling and to conceal doors.

Interior designer Simone Haag was part of the design process from the early stages. Working alongside the architect during the early design concepts allowed her to help shape the home’s materials. “Working so closely with team Pandolfini, we were able to access the architectural palette really early on and I’m really pleased with how there’s a softness about the furniture and how it sits within the raw architecture,” says Haag.

“I’m incredibly proud of this house and how it’s come together. The materiality and form are quite unique for a residential project and it’s probably the most ambitious project we have done to date,” reflects Pandolfini.

00:00 Introduction to the Super House
00:55 The Simple Brief
02:12 A Walkthrough of the Home
03:52 A Focus on Landscaping
04:34 Incorporating Sculptural Forms
05:13 The Material Palette
06:27 Furnishing Selections
07:27 Proud Moments and Favourite Aspects

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Photography by Rory Gardiner.
Architecture and Interior Design by Pandolfini Architects.
Interior Design, Furniture, Objects and Artwork and Styling by Simone Haag.
Landscape design by Myles Baldwin.
Engineering by SDA Structures.
Filmed and edited by O&Co.
Production by The Local Project.

The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.

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