House of Stone, Wood, Metal & Glass
Hard yet tactile surfaces accent the minimalist aesthetic of River Residence.
ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS CSA Craig Steere Architects • BUILD Brooks Construction • LANDSCAPING Tim Davies Landscaping • IMAGERY Jody D’Arcy • WORDS Elizabeth Clarke
Sloping back from the water, River Residence takes a front-row seat to a magnificent Swan River view that spans 180 degrees along its beachfront. Emphatically modern, it is marked by its solid form, stone courtyards, free-flowing indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces, and vast expanses of glass.
“The owners have an interest in low-maintenance minimalist forms, so we wanted to achieve a contemporary feel using stone as a grounding element, and to embrace our client's interest in the tactile and Mediterranean feel of stone,” says architect Mark de Rozario from CSA Craig Steere Architects. “As a counterpoint to the organic shapes of the stones, we used crisp white textured render on the facade to act as a backdrop to the recycled timber arbours, metal screens and landscaping.”
On arrival, you are greeted by a long driveway with a central established tree around which the owners and their guests can access a porte cochere within an arrival courtyard, from which river glimpses are possible through monolithic pillars. The home is designed around its site, a steep fall to the water’s edge. It comprises two levels: its upper floor cuts into the slope of the block with a gallery stepping down toward the river, opening up the expansive view with each step, while the lower storey is reached via a glazed staircase that allows views and access to the beach below.
Exposed to the river, the home is subject to wind and harsh sunlight. Transparent perforated aluminium mesh screens wrap around the upper level, allowing the owners to open their doors to the outside and be protected from wind and glare while providing privacy from people on the river. “When the screens are closed at night, the home resembles a lantern projecting a soft glow and dappled light,” Mark says.
Bold form, natural texture and tonality are the protagonists of the building and its aesthetic is simplistic, focusing on the raw beauty of stone. “The owners travel to Italy often and stay in old stone villas with courtyards, and they wanted that feel in their own home so we interpreted it in a contemporary form," says Mark. "A stonemason shaped it by hand on-site, and its rich honey tones give the home a sense of warmth, especially when the sun illuminates it. We designed several stone courtyards that act as sheltered breakout spaces, and in time they will be immersed in soft, lush foliage.”
Access to natural light is an important feature of the home. The series of courtyards with differing orientations provide dynamic lighting throughout the day along with extensive highlight windows, which provide exceptional cross ventilation.
“It was important for any artificial lighting to be complementary to this,” says Mark. “Mondoluce provided products that allow a high quality of illumination, durability, and subtlety of fittings to complement the minimalist spaces. There was also special consideration given to the lighting of the owners' collection of artwork, with fittings featuring a high colour rendition accuracy selected to specifically frame artwork positioned in the stone niches.”
Minimalist interiors can often look and feel cold or unwelcoming, so the home is infused with life and visual interest using raw natural textures that are provocative without being overpowering. The home is rooted in neutrals, showcasing its stone's natural patterns and texture. Porcelain tiles flow underfoot, chosen for their beauty and durability.
The kitchen is deliberately minimalist, with porcelain benchtops, engineered timber cabinetry and anodised aluminium accents creating an airy, spacious feel. There are two island benches, geometrical in shape: one is a food preparation space and the other a bar, accompanied by a cabinet designed with built-in bar fridges, glassware, and a liquor cabinet. Both sit lightly on engineered legs that allow for the plumbing needed for their integrated sinks.
A scullery and laundry provide extra, accessible working space, and a small office set-up allows for daily admin. Low-level splashback windows are fitted with white glass that lets light in while affording privacy from neighbours. A band of high-level windows provides cross-ventilation, brings in the fresh air, and frames the top of the giant conifer trees outside. "We modelled the trees on our computer so we could position the windows just right," says Mark.
Everything is clean-lined and pared-back, distinguished by subtle detailing and variations in raw, natural texture. Adjacent to the kitchen is an open living and dining space with access to a viewing deck through generous sliding glass doors. These slide into the walls completely, making the space look like one vast, seamless unit.
The home is unique for its stunning material palette, along with its functionality and design that cater for climatic conditions. Its seamless transition through stone courtyards and large expanses of glass allow the interiors to melt into the outdoors spaces, making any one of them a beautiful place to be.
The facade comprises minimalist forms with crisp white textured render. The residence opens up to the river, drawing in views but also, at times, extreme climatic conditions. Transparent perforated aluminium mesh screens wrap the upper level allowing the doors to open up while protecting the interiors from wind and glare. All windows and aluminium screens are by Westec Doors & Windows.
Large expanses of glass allow the home to take in 180-degree views of the river and its beaches.
Magnificent walls of honey-toned Donnybrook stone imbue warmth and reflect light. The floor tiles are Renaissance Silver in Natural from Ceramic Tile Supplies.
Special consideration was given to lighting the owners’ artwork, with fittings by Mondoluce positioned in the stone niches.
A generous corridor opens up to the alfresco area through large glass doors, creating effortless indoor-outdoor integration.
In the kitchen, architectural lights by Mondoluce complement the architecture. The cabinetry is by Cabinets By Dario, the kitchen oven and cooktop by Gaggenau, and the rangehood is by Qasair. There are two island benchtops: one is for food preparation and the other is a bar, behind which a cabinet conceals a bar fridge, glassware and liquor cabinet.
A compact home office sits at the end of the kitchen overlooking the river. A vertical window lets the light in.
Windows, skylights and high-level windows ventilate and illuminate the kitchen. At the end of the space is a hardworking scullery. The bar island features a floating splashback made of anodised aluminium.
The lounge and dining space breathe in the water views. The Walter Knoll dining table is from Living Edge.
"We used crisp white textured render on the facade to act as a backdrop to the recycled timber arbours, metal screens and landscaping.”
—MARK DE ROZARIO, CSA Craig Steere Architects
Tour more havens
