WESTMERE HOUSE

Westmere HOUSE by Andrew Meiring Architects

Like a Japanese puzzle box, this house unfolds in a series of twists and turns.

Framed by a tall, iconic cypress tree and nestled next to a converted church, this family home in the inner-city suburb of Westmere is designed as a private oasis for the family who dwells in it. Architect Andrew Meiring used off-shuttered concrete and vertical cedar boards both internally and externally to extend the connections between indoors and out , while screening living areas from view. The result is a spacious, modernist home designed for family living.

“To create an interesting entrance progression whilst providing privacy for the internal courtyard space, the garage and entry is set back behind the front plastered wall element. We also landscaped the street front of the property to reference the open front yards of the other houses in the area,” says Meiring.

Along with the pathway leadin g to the front gate, this also prevents the house from looking imposing from the street.

Once inside, the main passage is wide and opens down one side with double-sized sliding doors onto a courtyard area and garden. The children’s bedrooms open onto the passage opposite the courtyard and have recessed sliding doors, so it is possible to create a large indoor/outdoor play area to go wild in . The snug media room is also off this passageway, as a rainy day option for the younger members of the family. Apivoting door just past the media room then blocks out any noise for the more grown-up living spaces.

The kitchen and living areas are positioned at the north-facing, rear end of the home and have a sophisticated narrative with a balance of vertical and horizontal lines created by the cedar and off-shuttered concrete.

“Dark timber was part of the client’s brief, but to prevent the home from seeming too dim, we used white walls in the areas that didn’t get as much sun, The concrete also helps to warm the internal spaces,” says Meiring.

The formal living room is screened from the kitchen by a concrete column, which contai ns the fireplace. The floor of this space is formed by a sunken concrete slab, and the built-in tan leather couches sit on the ledge of the slab, creating a cosy nook for conversation. The living room picture window looks down the length of the pool, and also doubles as pool fencing.

“In the evening, this creates a sense of ambience in the living room, especially when the pool light s are on and create patterns against the adjacent concrete wall,” says Meiring.

A key aspect of the design brief was th e private, sheltered outdoor area that connects to th e kitchen at the rear of th e home. The kitchen bench extends to the barbecue outdoors, and this east-facing area is covered on three sides to protect from the elements.

The kitchen and dining spaces can also be screened from the weather by stacking sliding doors. A vertical cedar screen becomes the pool gate, allowing for separation between the pool deck and the dining deck.

Kitchen Manufacturer: Form Design

Words by Camille Khouri
Photography by Jackie Meiring

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The main living space incorporates the kitchen, casual and more formal dining and living areas, and flows seamlessly to an outdoor room with a louvred roof.

“This room is open on two sides, with a wood-burning fireplace,” says Jessop. “But with all the stacking doors opened from the kitchen and living room, the entire rear of the house opens up to the outdoors, much like a pavilion.”

The kitchen has a casual, café-style banquette seating area, a 5m-long island and cabinets in white lacquer and dark-stained oak veneer.

“We didn’t really want this to look like a kitchen, so it has more of a modern furniture look,” says the architect. “Much of the storage is within a scullery.”

The island in the kitchen serves several purposes. As well as being the main food preparation area, it is also the social centre of the living area – a casual eating and homework area, and a gathering place for friends to sit with a glass of wine.

To provide separation for children and adults, there is a 3.5m x 4m soundproofed, sunken nook off the main living room. This room, which is a step down from the living area, is used as a home theatre.

The master suite on the top floor overlooks the pool and has a view of the harbour. Here, the boatshed reference is clearly visible in the gable roof and exposed, white-painted rafters. Again, timber slats help screen the sun and provide a buffer between the public and private spaces.

Other rooms on this floor include a study-library, which has a full wall of built-in bookshelves.

An underground wine cellar, with a 20mm-thick glazed ceiling that forms the floor of the entry hallway above, is another feature of the house.

Built-in furniture and bathroom vanity: Form Design

full article here

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