Black Pivot Doors Frame Views of This Australian Home’s Verdant Garden
With seamless transitions to the outside and a spacious open floor plan, this renovated house gets some airy upgrades.
In Luis Gomez-Siu’s renovation of this semi-detached house in Vaucluse, Australia, the Sydney-based architect aimed to fulfill his client’s desire for a strong indoor/outdoor connection. With the addition of an easily accessible garden comprised of lush greenery, Gomez-Siu’s plan delivered on that promise.
On the key to his design the architect shares: "by demolishing the existing flat ceiling and opening up the rear facade of the house [with] pivot doors" the design offered framed views of the home’s new landscaped garden, and also inspired the project’s name: Framed House. What’s more, these two interventions presented the open-plan interior with higher ceilings, a greater sense of spaciousness, and a breezy transition to the outside.
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
While working on the project, Gomez-Siu kept environmental considerations in mind by "minimizing waste where possible," he explains. Although the gardens replaced an expansive pool, the structure was retained on-site, being buried beneath the new lawn. The pool was also filled with "additional site demolition waste, which contributed to minimizing landfill off-site," Gomez-Siu notes.
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Shop the Look
Case Profile Chair
Matthew Hilton created the Profile Chair (2005) to accompany his Cross Extension Table, which was honored with the 2006 Elle Decoration Best in Furniture Award. An ergonomic solution for dining, this chair is simply shaped with splayed legs and an angled back that’s curved for comfortable support. The padded seat is upholstered in aniline-dyed leather, while the durably constructed frame is made of solid oak or walnut. The Profile Chair is conveniently stackable up to six high. Walnut chair made in Thailand, oak in Lithuania.
ShopHerman Miller Nelson Ball Bubble Pendant
While outfitting his office, architect and Herman Miller design director George Nelson discovered a silk-covered Swedish hanging lamp that he coveted but found too expensive. He then recalled seeing a photo in the paper of Liberty ships being mothballed “by having the decks covered with netting and then being sprayed with a self-webbing plastic,” which got him thinking. “And then, Whammo!” Inspiration struck, and by the next night, Nelson had designed his first Bubble Lamp (1952) by spinning a skeleton of steel wires on a turntable and shooting it with translucent plastic until it was covered in a smooth, washable film. “When you put a light in it, it glowed,” he said. This is the authentic Bubble Lamp, produced in partnership with the George Nelson Foundation. Bulb (not included): LED, CFL or incandescent; E26 base; 60W max for small, 150W max for others. UL Listed. Made in U.S.A.
ShopMagis Deja-Vu Oval Table
Elegantly crafted, the Magis Deja-vu Oval Table is a splendid addition to your dining ensemble. Made in collaboration with designer Naoto Fukasawa, it features a simple oval top complemented by angled legs. The top is made of medium-density MDF, while the legs and frame are made using extruded aluminum done in a polished finish. Paired with dining chairs from the Deja-vu collection, this table completes your dining area effortlessly.
ShopPhoto: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Another highlight of the home is the updated ground floor bathroom, which was converted from a bedroom. The space retains traditional details— as the client requested—yet is revived by delicate porcelain tiles and new custom finishes.
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Photo: Tom Ferguson
Related Reading: Vegetation Cocoons This Tranquil Beach House in Australia
Project Credits:
Architect of Record: Luis Gomez-Siu Design Studio / @luisgomezsiu
Builder of Record: Yakka Build
Structural Engineer of Record: SDA Structures / @sdastructures
Landscape Designer of Record: Wyer & Co / @wyerandco
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Australian Homes