People tend to notice what you do in small country towns. The people of Wahgunyah in northeastern Victoria (just across the river from Corowa) have certainly noticed this stylish new mid-century-inspired forever home (for all the right reasons)...
Regional Design Service's first completed residence is a special project for them. Not just because it's their first, but also because of the amazing relationship they forged with their clients.
"Our clients", explains the architect "had a love of mid-century modern homes and a dream of living in one of their own. We took inspiration from this, designing a new home with light-filled spaces, clean lines and joyful use of colour throughout."
The semi-rural site is surrounded by both bush and farmland, so it was important the design took advantage of the sweeping views. An efficient t-shaped floorplan helps to achieve this, ensuring the living area and main bedroom soak up views of the landscape and placing the kitchen at the literal heart of the home. A wrap-around terrace provides the opportunity for indoor/outdoor living which is flexible depending on the weather.
Aspects of mid-century style are incorporated throughout. Bold terrazzo is used as the splashback in the kitchen and bathroom, while playful olive greens in the carpet, cabinetry and paint complement the landscape beyond. In classic mid-century style, blockwork is continued inside, with the soft greys bringing texture and richness to the interior. The blockwork also serves an important thermal purpose in this climate, helping to moderate the temperature which can vary 20 degrees or more between night and day, and ranging from below zero in winter to 40+ in summer. The blockwork helps to keep the interior at a more stable, comfortable temperature year-round.
Around the fireplace, the blockwork is arranged in a decorative pattern, another nod to mid-century design. Deep shelving on either side of the fireplace in the living room is perfect for displaying favourite objects, but can equally be used as casual seating, building plenty of flexibility into the space.
In the ensuite, circular mirrors and light fitting against a painted tablet-shaped feature has strong mid-century vibes while still feeling fun and modern.
"From the outset, we worked hand-in-hand with our client to explore the themes and context of mid-century Modernism with regards to style, but more importantly, materiality and construction techniques." - Regional Design Service
"At our very first meeting, Phillip and Aaron put us completely at ease, as they listened carefully to our story, our plans and what we hoped to achieve. They applied their knowledge of a wide range of materials and techniques to produce a house that exceeded all of our expectations and were invested from the very start; ensuring we all had a unique and fulfilling building experience." - Clients, Wahgunyah House
