Test Trends | Page 102

Above: The main living area is a large, open-plan space that also accommodates the main circulation route from the front entry. The two polished stainless steel structural columns were inspired by the design of the renowned Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe. They reflect light so they almost disappear from view. The walnut panelling on the interior is enlivened by vertical slot lighting. 100 Privacy, views, light, height to boundary – all these factors come into play when you’re planning a new house for a site in an established suburb. Another key consideration is the architectural vernacular – what exists in the suburb, and how is it changing? Joe Chindarsi, the architect of this new house says the beach suburb was not always a sought-after location. search | save | share at my.trendsideas.com “It features a mix of old, run-down houses and expensive, new homes, so it is changing rapidly,” he says. “The former house on this site was small and cramped, but we could see the site had great potential.” Owner Geoff Hayward says he had plenty of ideas to explore with the architect, but he essentially wanted a modern beach house, which would be a permanent home and easy to live in. Chindarsi says the land sloped up from front to back, with the topography helping to determine the design. “It afforded a range of levels, which we could use to break up the spaces inside and define the way the house sat in the landscape. The design of this house was not about trying