- Interior
- Architecture & development
Toorak Garden Residence, designed by Conrad Architects, is a contemporary interpretation of the classic European garden villas: a symmetrical building arranged around a central axis. The rhythmic and solid geometry is impressive and fits perfectly with the surrounding landscaping. It is right at home among some of Melbourne's most historic houses.
The strength of the building's form, its materiality – thick, brick walls – and its repetitive elements, such as the series of expansive doors in the patio and the massive grid-like windows in the front facade, are all typical of Conrad Architects' aesthetic. As a result, the new building exudes a quiet sustainability. 
When you enter through the private entrance, you immediately see a sculpture rising from a reflection pond. The aesthetic fluidity of the water is shown off to its best advantage next to the full-height glass panels. Double wooden doors lead you inside, where you come out on a spiral staircase, which is a sculptural work in itself.
This staircase leads to a landing on the first floor, where from the double-height void in the dining area, you have a view of the garden, the swimming pool and the cityscape beyond. This visual connection to the garden and the swimming pool was an important requirement for the client, who wanted a view of the garden from every room.
The building exudes a quiet sustainability.
Transitional spaces run like a thread through the entire house. Adjacent to the dining room on the ground floor is a large, central swing door, which has a pure expression due to the lack of moulding. Thanks to its central location, this room looks out onto the garden and the central staircase.
To create an even deeper connection between the interior and the garden, the structural frame of the building was extended into a pergola-like structure with retractable sunshades. This creates 'outdoor rooms', similar to the way in which an Italian terrace changes from inside to outside. Perpendicular to the main building is a rectangular pavilion with a swimming pool, which consists of a gym, a lounge and a bathroom. 
The interior palette provides a calm and emotional counterpoint to the angular austerity of the house. Conrad Architects' preference for minimally processed natural materials is evident in the unfilled travertine of the entrance, staircase, exterior paving, living area plinth and kitchen island bench. Stone Italiana quartz countertops, lime paint and oak joinery and floors further adorn the space, creating a beautiful interplay of textures. Various marbles recur in the bathrooms and dressing rooms.
For lighting, Conrad Architects opted for Articolo because of its artisanal and atmospheric qualities, its contemporary linearity and spherical elements in line with the other circular interruptions in the angularity of the house: round skylights and mirrors, the curved central staircase with its winding half walls and a custom installation of fifty Fizi spheres hanging above the dining room. Poliform furniture, soft linen curtains and carpets complement the refined and comfortable look of the house. 
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Photography by Sharyn Cairns