Grayling Road, West Pymble
A horizontal curvaceous landscaped form sitting atop four organic pillars. Inspired by ancient Greco-Roman design principles of order, proportion and repetition. The design focus is how a built form can be in harmony with nature. Beautifully landscaped to feel like one with nature within the leafy tree rich context of Grayling Rd.
This substantial plot was formerly two separate allotments, each one approximately 900 square metres in area. This amalgamation would provide the opportunity for Peak Architects to design a large 400-square-metre home for a couple with children. It would also still allow for generous gardens separating neighbours.
Constructed in concrete, with AFS walls (fibrocement), the two-storey house is thoughtfully expressed with curvaceous edges and a timber-battened façade. These battens are on double garage on one side, and on the other, to provide symmetry, enclose a formal living area on the other side. Timber was also used for the broad soffits. Complementing the timber detailing is stonework that flanks the front door that accessed from a stone path.
Working with landscape architect Melissa Wilson, Peak Architects was mindful of bringing light into the deep floorplan as well as allowing the house to benefit from extensive planting – starting on the terraces with curvaceous in situ concrete nooks to chamfered garden beds that allow for vines to create softer and verdant edges and sight lines.
With the client’s brief to create large, open and fluid spaces, there was great endeavour to reduce the number of structural columns. Where support was required, as was the case with the large open plan living areas, a double-sided fireplace between the kitchen and living area was created. So, rather than dividing up areas,
the kitchen, dining and living area located at the rear of the house, comprise the width of the house – leading to a protected outdoor alfresco area for the finest in outdoor dining (approximately five metres in width). This terrace also links to the swimming pool, a feature also included in the client’s brief.
There’s generous bedroom accommodation in the West Pymble house with a guest bedroom located at ground level and four bedrooms with ensuites, including the main bedroom, found on the first floor. Conscious of living with young children, Peak Architects also found space on the first floor, adjacent to the children’s bedrooms, for a rumpus room. Whether it’s a bedroom, a guest suite or a living area, the focus of this house is on the garden, with bedrooms connected to terraces and with large sliding doors to the garden from both the lounge and the kitchen.
As with a number of Peak Architects’ designs, the kitchen is simple, streamlined, functional and importantly, efficient. Complete with stone benches, timber veneer joinery and tiled floors it is, as with other Peak Architects’ designs, a home to use, enjoy and great for scampering young feet. At the same time, it’s also a finely bespoke home that includes a separate prayer room and adjacent washing facilities to cater for the owner’s faith.