Project Description
The brief was for a home to cater for their growing family. The main house was to have a large family
kitchen with open plan family room, dining room and separate living room on the lower level. Four
bedrooms were to be incorporated on the first floor level, with a family bathroom servicing three
bedrooms and a master bedroom with walk in wardrobe and ensuite.
The house was also to have a rumpus area for sports equipment, a large garage with a workshop area
and there was to be a separate private wing under the same roof for frequent guests with their own
lounge area, bedroom and bathroom.
The house was to be orientated to the north to capture the sun and rural outlook.
Design Features & Creative Solutions
The exterior of the house was to be black with light coloured joinery. Reminiscent of a black barn, Linea
weatherboards were the perfect design solution to be painted black. The look was further enhanced by
the large corrugated gable roof form with flush soffits on the gable and dormer like flat roofed areas
providing balance.
The clients lived in the UK for many years and for our first meeting they brought many pictures featuring
white painted timber joinery. Achieving the right proportions to cater for the traditional timber joinery
look while maintaining modern open plan spaces was important. Oak flooring in the family/dining/kitchen
area provides an environment which is light, airy and family friendly.
The exterior is tied to the interior with the large white posts & beams made from Prowood laminated
timber and white facings to the exterior joinery.
The kitchen is a light bright work space with skylights over to capture the morning sun. The other end of
the family area which faces North - North/West opens up completely to decking with large bi-folding doors.
This area is protected from too much solar gain with the overhang of the first floor master bedroom
balcony and the covered alfresco area - which at a later date will have a louvre system inserted.
Steinmetz Home
Rochelle Dennis - Architectural Designer
in conjuction with Rachel Steinmetz - Apple Tree Designs Ltd