Inner Gardens

Clean lines and gentle curves are juxtaposed throughout the Forest House.

The reading nook corridor has a sizeable sliding glass door that pockets into more glass, with thresholds flush between the cork floors on the interior and the large format porcelain tile on the exterior. The center of the atrium is filled with raked 1/8” Desert Gold crushed granite.

"The effect of the plantings on the terrace is enormous,” reflects the couple. “Not only do the branches and formations give a sense of the four seasons, but the way it looks from the living room contributes to a sense of calmness. It gives the illusion that we are viewing art."

A sense of Japanese minimalist design permeates the home. Tatami mats are now used in a space that leads out to a very zen-like rock garden.

At the center of the home is a large courtyard which extends the full height of the home, providing a break in the simple form and plan.

The courtyard is the heart of the home. It’s carved out of the building, providing a secluded retreat.

Garden and living spaces blend together in this Australian dwelling which inverts the classic wraparound veranda.

A peek at the primary suite which also features a private terrace and en-suite bath.

The tea room overlooks a petite outdoor space. Chen’s eye for scale guided the home’s build as well. "Bob’s father is a carpenter. He has been observing lines since he was a little boy," says Guang. "He is extremely sensitive when it comes to corners and lines."

A cactus garden planted in between the glazed wall in front of the stair and the brise-soleil connects the home to the landscape.

The master bedroom on the second storey has privacy buffer with the placement of the generous patio and tree void upfront. The custom bed frame designed by Stacey Leong Interiors continues the architecture's linear language.

The library/study space opens to the sunken courtyard on one side, and offers views through the living room to the water on the other side. “This transparency within the dwelling’s core provides an interconnectivity between these contrasting edges, allowing the clients to experience an ever-changing quality of lights and atmosphere,” says architect Fraser Mudge.