Kew East

Designed as a private retreat for a family seeking calm, connection, and long-term liveability, the home balances privacy from the street with light-filled spaces that open generously toward the rear and the city beyond.

Behind the striking angled façade of painted white brick, the interiors feel warm, welcoming, and deeply layered. Large expanses of glazing, soaring ceilings, and tactile materials create a sense of openness, while colour and texture bring comfort and personality to everyday living.

With the possibility of multi-generational living in the future, the family wanted a home that would feel easy to live in both now and over time. Comfort, privacy, and adaptability were central to the brief, alongside a desire for spaces that felt light-filled, calm, and restorative at the end of busy days.

Long-term liveability shaped the planning approach from the outset. A ground-floor guest suite allowed flexibility for extended family or visitors, while the main family bedrooms and private retreat spaces were positioned upstairs to maximise outlook and separation. The clients were also drawn to a more expressive material palette, embracing soft greens, muted pinks, timber, stone, and textured finishes to create a home with warmth and individuality.

The sloping block presented both opportunity and complexity. Falling toward the rear, the site opened up elevated views across to the city skyline, creating a natural opportunity to position the main upstairs living spaces toward the outlook while maintaining privacy from the street.

The design response carefully balanced openness with restraint. Minimal front-facing glazing reinforces a sense of privacy and sanctuary, while extensive rear glazing allows natural light to move deeply into the home. The planning and spatial sequencing ensure the experience of the home unfolds gradually. Sheltered and protected at entry before opening upward and outward toward light, volume, and view.

The design was driven by the idea of sanctuary. A home that feels grounded and restorative despite its generous scale. Rather than relying on overt statements, warmth is created through materiality, texture, and the quality of natural light moving through the spaces across the day.

Upstairs, the vaulted living area was conceived as a retreat perched above the landscape. Large floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city outlook while softening the boundary between inside and out. Timber-lined ceilings to the alfresco and eaves extend this sense of warmth externally, reinforcing the connection between built form, landscape, and daily living.

Throughout the home, texture becomes a unifying element. Painted white brick, finger tiles, timber, stone, and layered finishes create visual depth while maintaining a calm and cohesive atmosphere.