Borell Street Residence is a contemporary single level dwelling that was completed in 2012 by Bagnato Architects, located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The clients brief was simply to design a large contemporary home spread over one single level that incorporates all the necessities required for a family with 4 children that can be divided into separate zones for the kids & adults without feeling too large & overwhelming. The home is situated behind a contemporary rendered fence with laser cut metal screens as infill panels. Two new palm trees balance the home.

The 12,486 square foot (1,160 square meters) house features high ceilings and a rear open plan kitchen/meals living area that opens onto an outdoor alfresco dining area and landscaped gardens. Central courtyards throughout allow light to enter the house and create private outdoor zones for each of the rooms. The use of natural materials such as travertine stone, marble, timber paneling, feature mirrors & extensive glass were used extensively to create a cohesive design.

A circular driveway leads to and undercover portico and the main entry. The driveway and the building is covered by Walnut travertine stone tiles.

The main bedroom of the house is situated on the corner of the building and the open fireplace can bee seen from the outside through the butt jointed glass. The portico highlights the entry to the house.

A close up view of the entry portico with the circular driveway and vast landscaping. At night it is highlighted by feature lighting. The portico itself is clad in Walnut travertine stone tiles.

Once you enter the home you are greeted by a vast entry with over-sized furniture & oval mirror. This is further enhanced by a wall of mirror behind. A contemporary arch houses the wall mirror. The floor and feature wall is Walnut travertine stone tiles.

The meals area is part of an open plan living, kitchen meals area the opens onto a a covered patio. The floor tiles are Walnut travertine stone tiles.

The main family living area has a feature wall containing a modern fireplace clad in walnut travertine stone tiles and black mirror. A black TV is mounted in the center. A contemporary plaster bullhead frames the fireplace.

The living room or games room houses a bar with a walnut travertine bench top that wraps down the sides of the island bench & a kick rail for bar stools.

The living room or games room houses a bar with a walnut travertine bench top that wraps down the sides of the island bench and a kick rail for bar stools. Black mirror is used as an internal finish to the bar. A wall of wine racks can bee seen in the distance.

The main living/games room houses its own fully functional bar with a wall of wine racks behind glazed doors and free standing island bench. The floor is walnut travertine stone tiles. The games room also has a wall of openable glazed doors that look onto the owners car collection and are a feature of the room.

The games/living/media room also houses an area for watching TV. The charcoal walls are highlighted as carried through the rest of the house.

Instead of a traditional cellar the client requested a games room to show off his car collection and future wine. A thermostatically controlled glazed wall will house future wine in a horizontal manner. An island bench clad in walnut travertine stone is the center piece with feature lighting.

The main hallway from the entry to the rear of the house is highlighted by walnut travertine stone tiles to both the floor & walls. The long hallway is broken up with a central landscaped courtyard to allow light to enter the building.

The kitchen is made up of solid timber stained chocolate with Calcutta marble to the island bench and backsplash. Black mirror is also highlighted as a backsplash under the island bench & buffet.

The main kitchen is complimented by a side built in buffet with highlight pigeon boxes for display, a Calcutta marble top & black back splash with under bench lighting. The floor tiles are walnut tumbled travertine tiles.

The fireplace with stone surround and central TV is the focal point of the room with butt jointed glass to both sides.

The open plan kitchen, meals & family room are all integrated under the one space with a ceiling bulkhead emphasizing the main dining table.

The home office looks onto a central courtyard housing a sculptural urn. The walls are lined with timber shelving and cabinets including the use of walnut travertine stone benches and floor tiles.

The master bedroom is large enough to accommodate a free standing fireplace and TV that wraps around to a sitting area overlooking the front garden.

The main bedroom’s closet is fully lined with open shelving & display cabinets including an island joinery theat houses a jewlery draw and a place to sit to get dressed.

The corner of the front facade houses the main bedroom which is prominent from the outside with its butt jointed glass. You can see into the bedroom and beyond to the freestanding fireplace.

The rear of the houses is connected to the inside by an undercover patio area housing a built in B.B.Q. and kitchen area and grassed play area for the kids.

The undercover patio is large enough to house an area for the outdoor kitchen and dining/sitting area.

Photos: Axiom Photography