[ Robert Mills Architects ] The Verdant Avenue House

    The Verdant Ave project reflects RMA’s unfaltering commitment to marrying purity of form with function, and the belief that a precise balance of architecture, interior design and landscape will always create a truly great home. A crisp cubic structure allows the property’s 80 year old pin oak to be celebrated as the focal point for the main living, dining and bedroom areas. A crisp palette of white walls with American oak joinery and slate floors creates a clean, calm space from which to view the venerable tree changing with the passing seasons.

    The project philosophy from the outset was to create a luxurious contemporary family home. It needed to accommodate the clients’ love of entertaining, their extensive artwork collection and a desire to connect to the natural environment outside.

    The interior and exterior living and entertaining spaces sit side by side on the ground level, separated by floor to ceiling glass walls and sliding doors. These doors open to a 25 metre lap pool, which runs the length of the building and provides natural evaporative cooling to the living areas.

    RMA’s dedication to meticulous detailing in all interior materials is evident throughout the home; at all times the luxury of the space was a priority. This detailing has created an elegant simplicity for the home — it does not require ostentatious dressing to be beautiful, comfortable or practical. The monochromatic palette and 3.5 metre ceilings provide a gallery for large and small art pieces alike to play a key role, while the fluid form of the centrally positioned spiral staircase, linking the ground floor to the first and second levels, provides a striking sculptural element that contrasts with the cubic character of the interior.

    Energy-efficient features include a smart lighting system and motorized oversize exterior window louvres, which provide natural light and ventilation.

    From the outset a considerable amount of time and energy was spent working closely with the clients through the briefing phase. It is a strict RMA dictate that the client is kept constantly updated and informed on all aspects of the design and construction phase, which inevitably leads to minimal changes and variations, and therefore a quicker, smoother, more cost-effective build.

from  contemporist