Normanby blends architecture with interior design in this stunning home for a young family of six in Brighton Victoria. Created by Whiting Architects, the industrial, geometric approach to this unique residential project is as interesting as it is practical.

“Architecture blends with interior design and decoration to create a perfectly detailed and articulated design resolution.”

Whiting Architects

A variety of textures like leather, wire, and velvet add levels to the main living areas and the exposed wooden feature wall builds intrigue and brings warmth. Statement lighting fixtures add a luxury element and the iconic kitchen splash back of handmade Tunisian tiles is a showstopper, to say the least.

One major challenge of this project was finding quality artwork for the dining room that was able to fit within the clients budget. However, a clever and sophisticated result was achieved with the installation of 70 acrylic bees by artist Richard Stringer. The piece became an understated yet compelling part of the home

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“Each piece of furniture, every light, the joinery, hardware, upholstery, was planned and plotted on the drawings at an early stage and refined throughout the job as we became more familiar with our clients. Some decorative items were put into the mix at the end but for the most part, this is an example of a thoroughly considered project from the brief to the final product.”

Whiting Architects

As any busy family understands, ample storage in a home is a must and the Normanby project delivered. Storage solutions became part of the architecture and interior design with timber hooks and leather-strapped shelving, for example.

The architects also used a variety of box forms to encourage a “process of discovery.” In other words, the design doesn’t reveal everything at once, using restraint to create more interest and surprise.

Key features of the home include the entry “box” at the rear with wall to wall coir matting and a bench for shoes and bags. Visual, structural, and joinery boxes giving a crate-like, industrial appearance, and the kitchen/laundry area further accentuates the box-like forms.

“We take a very architectural approach to interiors by creating a landscape through the insertion of objects into the space. This device works to breakdown the traditional notions of door and wall, replacing them in areas with box forms and plane.”

Whiting Architects

Although colour is used sparingly throughout the home, pops of colour do brighten up the space, especially in the kids’ areas. But the overall neutral tones keep the formal and casual areas defined and separate.

Timber, steel, and masonry make up most of the materials used and shadow lines bring in a bit of texture. Again, blending architecture with the interior design, the home has been implemented in a three-dimensional way, inserting objects to walk through and around, giving a new perspective to the space.

Overall, the house was intended as a backdrop for how the owners live their lives and Whiting Architects got the job done. Not only did they create a liveable, functional space for the family but did so in an interesting and engaging way.